Wests Tigers v Raiders, NRL 2023, match preview, official team lists, analysis, statistics

Wests Tigers v Raiders: Api to come from bench; Kris drops out

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 2 Jun 2023, 07:01 PM

The Wests Tigers are coming off a record win in Round 12 and a bye in Round 13 ahead of taking on the red-hot Raiders at home.

The joint venture may have breathed a sigh of relief when Raiders coach Ricky Stuart decided to rest veteran Jarrod Croker, with the Green Machine guaranteed to have put it all on the field for their favourite son in what would have been his 300th game.

How in-form young guns Junior Tupou, Jahream Bula and Starford To'a rise to the occasion at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday will determine if the Wests Tigers can claim their fourth win of the season and continue their rise up the ladder.

Meanwhile, the Raiders are hot on the back of a Round 13 win against the Rabbitohs with Corey Horsburgh laying the platform in the absence of forwards Elliot Whitehead (suspended) and Hudson Young (Origin).

Sitting seventh on the ladder, only two points behind the four tied at the top, the Raiders will be hoping to cement their place in the eight before they face the Warriors at home ahead of a Round 16 bye.

Round 14 - Round 14 - Friday 2 Jun

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Raiders

Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team News

Wests Tigers: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Jake Simpkin to start the game at hooker and Blues No.9 Api Koroisau to come off the bench. The veteran hooker's role will be reduced after he played the full 80 minutes for NSW, which included making a team-high 41 tackles. Daine Laurie, Aitasi James and Justin Matamua have dropped out of the squad on Thursday and Brent Naden is the 18th Man.

Raiders: No further changes on game day after Seb Kris withdrew from the squad on Thursday due to a knee injury he suffered in the Round 13 win over Souths. Harley Smith-Shields comes into the side at fullback for his first game since Round 5 in a backline that was reshuffled to cover for the absence of skipper Jarrod Croker (rested). Hudson Young is set to back up after playing 30 minutes in his Origin debut on Wednesday night.

Round 14 - Round 14 - Friday 2 Jun

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Raiders is number 20 Harley Smith-Shields
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Albert Hopoate
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy Talau

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Brandon Wakeham

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Pasami Saulo
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Corey Horsburgh
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Joseph Tapine

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Matt Frawley
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Brent Naden

Replacement for Raiders is number 22 Peter Hola

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:48 AM

Stat Attack

The Raiders have scored 100 points in their past three games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have not defeated the Raiders at Campbelltown since 2014.
The Raiders have won nine of their past 10 games against Wests Tigers.
Tigers winger David Nofoaluma requires one try for a century of tries for Wests Tigers.
Raiders winger Jordan Rapana requires one try for a century of tries in the NRL.
Wests Tigers have lost their past six games at Campbelltown Stadium

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.