NSW Cup Preview: Raiders v Knights
The Canberra Raiders will look to bounce back this weekend in Wagga Wagga for a regional match, where they will face the Newcastle Knights at McDonalds Park on Saturday, May 8 at 12:40 pm.
The Raiders were narrowly defeated 26-22 last weekend against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, where the team showed great fight running down a 20-12 deficit at halftime.
The Raiders will look to leapfrog the Parramatta Eels into the top four this weekend, with a much-important victory over the Knights.
Match: Raiders v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Raiders
6th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga
Key Matchups
Dunamis Lui v Matt Croker
Queensland front-rower Dunamis Lui has been a strong performer since returning to the NSW Cup side, leading the forward pack with experience and authority.
Lui showed determination and effort last weekend against the Rabbitohs, running for over 100 metres and making 19 tackles in 38 minutes of play.
Lui will travel to Wagga Wagga to take on the Knights, where he matches up against Matt Croker.
The Newcastle prop also had a great performance last weekend against the North Sydney Bears, running for over 150 metres and making 24 tackles in 46 minutes of play.
This match-up features two workhorses who will look to control the tempo of the match through their effort in the middle for their respected sides.
Adam Cook v Tex Hoy
Raider’s fullback Adam Cook has thrived in his new fullback role, since regular fullback Caleb Aekins has been pushed into first grade for the injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Cook ran for almost 150 metres last weekend, with a line break and three tackle-breaks against the Rabbitohs.
Cook has been improving every game at fullback but will likely meet his match this weekend against Tex Hoy. The fullback hasn’t been named to play for the Knights but is in the extended NRL squad and could be a late inclusion in NSW Cup just as he was last weekend.
If Hoy doesn’t take to the field, McKenzie Baker has been named at fullback after scoring a try while playing the halves last weekend.
