NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Warriors

Author: Patrick Gaynor
Timestamp: Thu 21 Jul 2022, 10:10 AM

The Canberra Raiders will be looking for back to back wins this Saturday when they return to GIO Stadium to take on the New Zealand Warriors.

The Raiders claimed a huge 20-16 win over the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park last weekend and will want to keep that momentum going.

The Green Machine now sit in tenth spot on the ladder and remain just one win outside the top eight.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are currently in 12th place and will want to bounce back after last weekend's loss to the Parramatta Eels.

Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead returns to the side this weekend, which sees Corey Harawira-Naera go back to the bench. Nick Cotric also returns to the side in place of James Schiller who will miss 1-2 weeks with an ankle injury.

Jordan Rapana will miss the next two weeks through suspension, with Albert Hopoate named to start on the wing after making his Raiders debut against the Storm last round.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Saturday 23 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Jesse Arthars
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Albert Hopoate

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Daejarn Asi
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Tohu Harris
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Warriors is number 17 Jack Murchie
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Josh Curran
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan Sutton

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Reece Walsh
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Emre Guler

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera

Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Eliesa Katoa

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 21 Ata Mariota

Replacement for Warriors is number 23 Jackson Frei

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 3/4/2024 11:32:41 PM

Last Time They Met

The Raiders suffered a narrow 21-20 defeat in golden point against the Warriors in round eight earlier this year, thanks to a Shaun Johnson field goal.

Xavier Savage vs Chanel Harris-Tevita

Xavier Savage will be hoping to continue his great run of form this Saturday, as he comes up against another young gun in Warriors fullback Chanel Harris-Tevita.

Savage has had a great last few weeks for the Raiders and hasn't looked back since becoming the starting fullback. Known for his electrifying attack, Savage proved he was more than just an attacking player when he made a crucial try saving tackle which would have put the Storm in front last weekend.

However, after scoring three tries in his past five matches Savage will no doubt be at his attacking best once again this weekend.

Meanwhile, Harris-Tevita has seemed to find a home at fullback after spending most of the season in the halves. Despite the Warriors struggles at scoring points this season, Harris-Tevita has been a shining light in every one of his 13 appearances.

Not only has Harris-Tevita proven himself as one of the best up and coming ball players in the competition, he has proved he is one of the better defenders by pulling off some huge hits in his career so far.

Both of these young guns will be wanting to make a statement on Saturday and as Savage proved last weekend, a single play from one of these fullbacks can change the game.

Josh Papalii vs Addin Fonua-Blake

Two of the competition's premier props of the past few years will go toe to toe on Saturday as Josh Papalii goes head to head with Addin Fonua-Blake.

Papalii will be coming into this game with a mountain of confidence after starring in the Raiders win over the Storm and the Maroons win in last week's State of Origin decider.

Papalii only played 33 minutes in that decider but made a huge impact for the Maroons with 93 running metres, a tackle break, an offload and 19 tackles with an efficiency of over 90 percent.

Fonua-Blake has stood up for the Warriors this season and has proved a handful for opposition teams. In his 14 appearances this season, Fonua Blake is averaging 157 running metres to go along with six offloads, 26 tackle breaks and three line breaks.

Both of these number eights will be looking to get the better of one another in what is sure to be one brutal matchup. Whoever can lay the better platform will go a long way in earning their side a very valuable two points.

Jamal Fogarty vs Shaun Johnson

Jamal Fogarty has lived up to expectations during his short time at the Raiders so far and will want to be at his very best once again when he takes on Shaun Johnson, who proved to be the difference in the Raiders and Warriors previous meeting earlier this year.

Fogarty has done a wonderful job in his six appearances this season after returning from a pre-season injury. Not only has he been a great game manager to partner Jack Wighton, but he has proved to be a real attacking weapon for the green machine as seen by his three try assists and nine tackle breaks.

Fogarty has also been very valuable taking over goal kicking duties, which proved vital last weekend.

While some believe Johnson may not be up to his best this season, the stats say otherwise. Johnson may have only scored one try this season but he has ten try assists, six line break assists, three line breaks and 20 tackle breaks.

Perhaps what is most impressive is that Johnson has owned the big moments for the Warriors as we saw in golden point games against the Raiders and Cowboys.

Both of these halves will have to stand up as playmakers and game managers in what could be another thrilling match. Whether it be a field goal or a conversion, a kick from one of these halfbacks could be the difference once again on Saturday.

Head to Head

The Raiders and Warriors have met 43 times since 1998, with the Raiders having won 22 meetings to the Warriors 21. The Raiders will be hoping to extend that lead on Saturday but the Warriors won't go down without a fight.