NSW Cup Preview: Raiders v Dragons

Author: Laurence Kelson
Timestamp: Thu 17 Jun 2021, 11:19 AM

The Canberra Raiders take on the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium at 3:05pm this Saturday in round 15 of the NSW Cup.

The Raiders are coming off back to back wins and have made their way into the top eight. In their last game, the green machine put on an attacking clinic against the Sea Eagles, winning 30-22.

Round 15 - Round 15 - Saturday 19 Jun

Full Time

Dragons

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 20 Treigh Stewart

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Caleb Aekins
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jordan Pereira

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Elijah Anderson
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Adam Cook
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Charly Runciman

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Sam McCann

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Manase Kaho
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 19 Tony Pellow

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt Frawley
Halfback for Dragons is number 16 Talatau Amone

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad Schneider

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Jaiyden Hunt

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Harry Rushton
Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Hayden Lomax

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Siliva Havili
Prop for Dragons is number 23 Kaide Ellis

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Ryan James
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jackson Shereb

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Kai O'Donnell
2nd Row for Dragons is number 13 Josh Carr

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hudson Young
Lock for Dragons is number 17 Luke Chalker

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Trey Mooney

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 9 Billy Brittain

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Adrian Trevilyan
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Shalom O'Ofou

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Darby Medlyn
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Luke Gale

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Leo Thompson
Interchange for Dragons is number 21 Poasa Faamausili

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Harley Smith-Shields

Reserves

Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Alexander Lobb

Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Clay Webb

Last updated: 5/29/2023 1:47:06 AM

They will want to keep their attacking edge against the 10th placed Dragons this week. The Dragons defence has let in 348 points already this season - the second most points conceded in the competition.

The Raiders will want to take advantage of the Dragons poor defence, and the return of young gun Harley Smith-Shields will certainly add more firepower to the Raiders attack.

With the Raiders keen to keep a grip on their position in the top eight, and the Dragons desperate to make their way in, this game is bound to be one to watch and could turn into a high scoring affair.

Key Match-Ups

Hudson Young v Billy Burns

Hudson Young was a standout in the Raiders’ victory over the Sea Eagles last week and will continue to make his case for a return to first grade with another strong performance this week.

Young’s ability to run hard lines off the halves and offload the ball in contact make him such a disruptive force for any defence to deal with. In his game against the Sea Eagles, Young produced an ultra-impressive stat line - one try, one try assist, one line-break assist, six broken tackles and over 100 run meters to boot.

If Young produces another performance like last weeks’ the Dragons’ defence will be in for a rough time.

Much like Young, Billy Burns is an up and coming player keen to return to first grade and will use this week’s game to showcase his talents.

Burns’ athletic build of 191cm and 104kg combined with his speed and footwork make the second-rower a great attacking asset for the Dragons.

Adam Cook v Charly Runciman

Adam Cook has been one of the Raiders most consistent performers this season in the NSW Cup. Playing at centre this week, his background as a half and a fullback give Cook the skills to make the most of any attacking situation close to the line.

Cook has a great work-rate and will often take the hard runs coming out of his own end, he leads the Raiders’ backs in run meters this season with 1,016. His crafty ball playing ability will give him an opportunity to try and pick apart the Dragons’ edge defence.

Dragons’ NSW Cup veteran Charly Runciman will be given the task of trying to control the crafty Raider. Runciman has a tackle efficiency of only 76% so far this season, he’ll need to up his game to make sure the Dragons’ edge defence aren’t overwhelmed by the Raiders attack.