NSW Cup & Jersey Flegg Round Three Preview

Author: William Makepeace
Timestamp: Fri 25 Mar 2022, 09:30 AM

After a disappointing 48-12 loss to the Bulldogs last Sunday, the Raiders will be looking to bounce back and record their first win of the season in the Knock On Effect NSW Cup when they come up against the Western Suburbs Magpies this Saturday at GIO Stadium at 5:15pm.

Despite the disappointing result last weekend there were still encouraging signs for the side, with Trey Mooney scoring his first try of the season and recording 44 tackles, whilst Xavier Savage continued his stunning start to the season with a try and 133 run metres.

Following the return of players in the NRL side, the Raiders will be heading into this fixture against the Magpies with some added first grade experience.

Jarrod Croker is scheduled to make his season debut in the centres after overcoming a back injury, whilst James Schiller will play his first game in the competition this year on the wing.

Adrian Trevilyan will also return after making his NRL debut against the Cowboys last Saturday, whilst try scorer Trey Mooney will shift from second row to prop forward.

The Magpies will also be looking to kick start their season with a first win of the year after starting the competition with two losses.

They fell to an in-form Newcastle Knights team last Monday, scoring just one try in a 30-4 loss.

The battle between Tukimihia Simpkins and the Raiders' own Harry Rushton promises to be a must-watch clash, with both locks looking to try and force their way into a first-grade jersey in 2022.

Rushton has been a shining light so far this season for the NSW Cup team, averaging 41 tackles per game whilst missing just four in total.

Expect another big defensive performance this Saturday from the Englishman, as he looks to guide the side to their first win of 2022.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 26 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Magpies

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage

Fullback for Magpies is number 22 Junior Tupou
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Utuloa Asomua

Winger for Magpies is number 2 William Kei
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker

Centre for Magpies is number 3 Israel Ogden
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Brad Morkos

Centre for Magpies is number 4 Junior Pauga
Winger for Raiders is number 5 James Schiller

Winger for Magpies is number 5 Iverson Fuatimau
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Sione Vuki

Five-Eighth for Magpies is number 6 Joseph Taipari
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam Williams

Halfback for Magpies is number 7 Ben Stevanovic

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Ata Mariota

Prop for Magpies is number 10 Aitasi James
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Adrian Trevilyan

Hooker for Magpies is number 9 Rua Ngatikaura
Prop for Raiders is number 20 Ryan Sutton

Prop for Magpies is number 21 Thomas Mikaele
2nd Row for Raiders is number 10 Trey Mooney

2nd Row for Magpies is number 11 Billy Stapleton
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Clay Webb

2nd Row for Magpies is number 12 Tom Freebairn
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Harry Rushton

Lock for Magpies is number 13 Tukimihia Simpkins

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 12 Jordan Martin

Interchange for Magpies is number 8 Austin Dias
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Peter Hola

Interchange for Magpies is number 15 Fonua Pole
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Juwan Compain

Interchange for Magpies is number 17 Ray Jankovic
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Jack Sandford

Interchange for Magpies is number 25 Aden Perry

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 14 Toby Thorburn

Replacement for Magpies is number 18 D'Rhys Miller

Last updated: 5/29/2023 1:46:59 AM

The Raiders Jersey Flegg side will be also looking to grab their first win of the season after a heartbreaking 18-15 loss last weekend, when they come up against the Wests Tigers this Saturday at 3:35pm at GIO Stadium.

After leading 14-4 at the break the Raiders thought they had done enough when Thomas Casey hit a field goal to take the lead in the 65th minute, only for Bulldogs centre Larson Doyle to score a try two minutes later to seal our second successive loss.

In team news Livai Kaloutolu will start his first match of the year on the wing, whilst Caleb Tohi and Tate Rhea will make their season debuts starting at lock and second row respectively.

Our opponents the Tigers will also be looking to secure their first win of the year on Saturday, after falling to Newcastle 22-10 last Monday.

With both teams scoring all of their tries through wingers and centres last weekend, expect a battle between the outside backs in both offence and defence, with the winner of that clash likely going a long way to securing their side a first victory of the season.