Nine Canberra Raiders players have been named in teams for this weekend’s representative round, with seven scheduled to play.
Four separate State of Origin matches will take place over the weekend, including the women’s match at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday.
Three additional Raiders will also play for their international sides, featuring for both New Zealand and Fiji.
Under 19’s State of Origin
The first representative matches of the round will take place on Thursday 23rd June, with the NSW Blues coming up against the QLD Maroons in both the men’s and women’s Under 19’s State of Origin.
In the women’s clash, Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup star Alanna Dummett has been named in the extended NSW squad.
In the men’s fixture there will be three Raiders youngsters lining up for the Blues, with all of them making the starting side. Michael Asomua will line up on the wing, whilst Brad Morkos will feature in the centres.
Trey Mooney has been named as one of NSW’s two players with NRL experience, with the Raider being named to start at lock.
Looking at the QLD side, Jersey Flegg star Tane Kiriona has been named in the extended Maroons side.
To watch these games tune into Channel 9, Kayo Sports or Foxtel, with the women’s game kicking off at 5:45pm and the men’s at 7:45pm.
Women’s State of Origin
Friday night will see the return of the biggest rivalry in women’s rugby league, with the NSW Sky Blues coming up against the QLD Maroons at 7:45pm at GIO Stadium.
The match will be the first time that the fixture has been played on neutral territory, with a big Canberra crowd expected to watch the headlining game.
After NSW were able to win the first two official series, it has been QLD who have turned the tides in recent years, coming out on top in the last two matches.
With neither team winning by more than 10 points in the four series, the match is sure to be a classic.
Local Canberran talent will also get the opportunity to show their skill on Friday night, with the Queanbeyan Blues coming up against the Woden Valley Rams in the scheduled curtain raiser.
Both sides are currently sitting inside the top four in the Katrina Fanning Shield, with the match to be the perfect precursor to a must watch game of Women’s State of Origin.
Tickets are still available to purchase here, with Channel 9, Kayo Sports and Foxtel broadcasting the match if you are unable to attend.
New Zealand vs Tonga
In their first match since October 2019, New Zealand will come against Mate Ma’a Tonga on Saturday afternoon, with two Raiders players making the Kiwi side.
After a stellar beginning to 2022, Joe Tapine will play his sixth game for the side being named to start the match at lock in a star-studded New Zealand team.
Canberra veteran Jordan Rapana has also been selected in the starting side, lining up on the wing after a fantastic season so far.
The last time these two sides played it was New Zealand who came out on top 34-14, with Rapana, Tapine and the rest of the Kiwi side looking to repeat that result.
Kick off at Mt Smart Stadium is scheduled for 3:20pm AEST, with the match being broadcast on Channel 9, Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
Papua New Guinea vs Fiji Bati
In the final international fixture of the weekend, the Fiji Bati will come up against Papau New Guinea, with the match scheduled to kick-off at 7:50pm on Saturday night.
Semi Valemei has been named in the centres for a strong Fiji side, making him the sole Raiders representative in the fixture.
Over his eight games in the NRL this season he has scored three tries, whilst he has added an extra six in the NSW Cup.
Saturday will be his debut for the Fiji side, with the Bati coming out on top in their last fixture against PNG 22-20 in late 2019.
To watch the game tune in to Channel 9, Kayo Sports and Foxtel for a 7:50pm kickoff.
Men’s State of Origin
Representative weekend will conclude with the NSW Blues coming up against the QLD Maroons in game two of the Ampol State of Origin in Perth, with kick-off at 7:50pm.
After a big win in the first match of the series, Raider Josh Papalii has retained his position in the QLD side, having played a key role in their game one victory.
Following the 16-10 win, he will line up as one of QLD’s two starting props, pairing with Lindsay Collins.
Unfortunately, he will not come up against his fellow Canberra star Jack Wighton, who was a standout for the NSW Blues in game one.
Wighton has been ruled out of game two due to COVID isolation, with the Raider keen to return to the NSW squad for game three.
The match will be shown live and exclusive on Channel 9 with kick off at 7:50pm.
