NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Broncos

Author: Finn Williamson & Rachel Moran
Timestamp: Thu 10 Jun 2021, 10:32 AM

The Canberra Raiders will look to get their season back on track as they host the Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium this Saturday at 7:45pm.

The Raiders will feel refreshed after a much-needed bye round last weekend, to re-group and plan towards this Saturday’s important contest against the Broncos.

Brisbane will also look to steal a win over Canberra after they suffered a 54-24 defeat over the St George Illawarra Dragons last Friday night.

The Raiders will welcome back fan-favorite front-rower Josh Papalii, who served a three-match suspension for a high tackle against the Bulldogs in round ten. Papalii will bring experience and energy back to the green machine at the perfect time to turn the Raiders season around.

Papalii ready for Broncos match and Origin prediction

Round 14 - Round 14 - Saturday 12 Jun

Full Time

Raiders

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Bailey Simonsson

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Semi Valemei

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Dale Copley
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Jesse Arthars
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Broncos is number 18 Tesi Niu
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Karmichael Hunt
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam Williams

Halfback for Broncos is number 22 Tyson Gamble

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Corey Harawira-Naera

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
Lock for Raiders is number 16 Iosia Soliola

Lock for Broncos is number 15 John Asiata

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton

Interchange for Broncos is number 13 Thomas Flegler
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Kobe Hetherington
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Teui Robati
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Joseph Tapine

Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Cory Paix

Reserves

Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Elijah Anderson

Reserve for Broncos is number 16 Keenan Palasia

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:40:59 AM

Last Time They Met

The Raiders recorded a 36-8 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in round 14 of the 2020 season at GIO Stadium.

Match Highlights: Raiders v Broncos

Key Matchups

Josh Papalii v Matthew Lodge

Josh Papalii will be well-rested and ready to go this Saturday night where he matches up against workhorse front-rower Matthew Lodge.

Papalii will look to take charge of the Raider’s forward pack when he takes the field this weekend with some early aggression to win the first 20 minutes.

Papalii will also be playing with a chip on his shoulder after missing the last three games to suspension, including availability for Queensland in Wednesday night’s Origin opener in Townsville.

Matthew Lodge led his team in run metres last week against the Dragons, with 20 carries for 150 metres in the middle of the field.

Lodge will look to carry his form into this weekend’s contest, where he matches up against Papalii who attempts to match his physicality in the ruck.

Sam Williams v Albert Kelly

With 97 NRL appearances up his sleeve, Sam Williams will play a major role in the Raiders success on the weekend.

Williams has shown nothing but class in his return to the NRL in the last few rounds, with his leadership contributing greatly to the Raiders playing group.

Starting the season in NSW Cup, Williams showed his ability to dominant the game, scoring two tries in his last appearance against the Rabbitohs. If Williams takes control on the weekend, it will go a long way in ensuring the Raiders get the two points.

Williams determined to repay fans faith

Williams will go head-to-head with another experienced halfback Albert Kelly who made his return to the NRL in round 11 after seven years in the Super League.

With both halfbacks trying to establish their respected roles, Saturday’s game is expected to be an exciting battle of two intelligent halfbacks.

Tom Starling v Jake Turpin

Raider’s hooker Tom Starling will look to carry his form into this weekend’s clash against the Broncos where he faces experienced dummy-half Jake Turpin.

Starling will look to take advantage of a Broncos side who have leaked the most points in the competition so far. Starling loves to get out from dummy-half and thrives off his running game, especially late in the game when forwards are fatigued and play is broken.

Turpin will have his hands full however, he is one of the best defensive hookers in the competition, averaging 40 made tackles a game.

Turpin will look to win the ruck early around his large Brisbane forward pack, where he can showcase his creativity and ball-playing ability late in the game.

Watch out for both number nine’s as they can break open this game at any time for their team.

Head to Head

The Raiders and Broncos have faced off 44 times with the Broncos taking 20 wins to the Raider’s 14. The Raiders will attempt to defy history and bounce back with a win in front of their home fans at GIO Stadium this Saturday.