NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Roosters

Author: Patrick Gaynor
Timestamp: Wed 1 Jun 2022, 01:51 PM

The Canberra Raiders will host the Sydney Roosters at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Round 13 action.

The Raiders will be looking to bounce back after their winning streak came to an end against the Parramatta Eels last Sunday.

The Green Machine currently sit one win behind the top eight and with several teams having a bye this round, the side will be hoping to earn a very valuable two points on Sunday.

Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii will be out of the side due to State of Origin commitments. Therefore, Matt Frawley will partner Jamal Fogarty in the halves and Corey Horsburgh will start for the Raiders in the front row.

Round 13 - Round 13 - Sunday 5 Jun

Full Time

Raiders

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Billy Smith
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Kevin Naiqama
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt Frawley

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Drew Hutchison
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Nat Butcher

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan Sutton

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
Interchange for Raiders is number 18 James Schiller

Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Daniel Suluka-Fifita

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 19 Harry Rushton

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Lachlan Lam

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 3/4/2024 11:32:45 PM

Last Time They Met

The Raiders went down 40-16 to the Roosters in the final round of last season in Mackay.

Key Matchups

Hudson Young v Angus Crichton

Two of the competition's best back-rowers will go head-to-head when Hudson Young goes up against Angus Crichton on Sunday afternoon.

It has been a breakout season for Young, who has played an important role in every Raiders win this season. Young has four tries in his first 10 appearances of the season to go along with four line breaks and 19 tackle breaks. Young is also averaging 98 running metres and 30 tackles per game, proving himself as both a lethal attacking weapon and a solid defender.

Meanwhile, Angus Crichton will be looking to make a statement to the rest of the competition after missing out on a Blues jersey. Despite being one of the best back-rowers in recent years, Crichton’s role has changed for the Roosters in 2022, playing plenty of minutes off the bench and in the forwards.

Both of these elite back-rowers will be out to make a difference for their side on Sunday with some lethal attack and bruising defensive plays. Whoever can come out on top of this battle will go a long way in deciding the game in Canberra.

Joe Tapine v Siosiua Taukeiaho

It will be another battle between two of the best players in their position when Tapine goes head to head with Taukeiaho as both props have gone to a new level in 2022.

Tapine has been one of the Raiders’ best this season and one of the best front-rowers in the competition. Tapine will also be looking to step up and lead the Raiders forward pack with Papalii will be away on Origin duty. The Kiwi international prop is averaging 149 running metres to go along with 23 tackle breaks, 17 offloads and one try this season.

Taukeiaho has also been one of the best props this season and has been a big part of the Roosters recent run of form. The two-time premiership winner and Tongan international is averaging 139 running metres to go along with 18 tackle breaks and 13 offloads.

Both of these international front rowers will be in charge of leading their forward packs on Sunday afternoon with some brutal plays in attack and defence. Whoever can come out on top in the battle of these props will set the platform that will likely decide the game on Sunday.

Matthew Timoko v Paul Momirovski

It's been a great season for Matt Timoko so far and he will be looking forward to the challenge of going head-to-head with Momirovski, who won a premiership with the Panthers last year.

Timoko has become one of the most exciting centres in the competition at just 22 years of age. Timoko has four tries and three line breaks while averaging 102 running metres per game this season. He has also been one of the best defensive outside backs, making 103 tackles at an efficiency of 89.6%.

Meanwhile, Momirovski has had a welcomed return to his debut club after spending time at the Tigers, Storm and Roosters. Momirovski has three tries in his first 10 appearances as well as 24 tackle breaks and two line breaks.

It will be an electrifying battle between both of these centres as both have proven to be great in attack and one-on-one defenders. A moment of brilliance with the ball or a try-saving tackle from one of these two could decide the game on Sunday.