The Toyota Forklift Raiders will hit the road this week, going head-to-head with the Warriors in New Zealand as both teams battle for fourth spot.
The Raiders are coming off the back of three wins in a row and will be feeling confident on enemy soil when they take on the in-form Warriors outfit.
The Green Machine are heading into this round 21 clash after a comfortable 36-26 win over the Dragons in their last outing. The side are feeling refreshed and eager to play some quality footy after having the bye last round, making this a must watch clash as two of the competition’s heavyweights battle it out.
With the 2023 State of Origin campaign now complete, the Raiders will be feeling more confident than ever as Queensland’s enforcer Corey Horsburgh returns to Canberra’s starting lineup.
Horsburgh returns to lock this week, with Jack Wighton slipping back into the halves to partner Jamal Fogarty.
The Raiders forward pack continues to return to full-strength, with Josh Papali’I coming back from a hamstring injury, and Pasami Saulo returning from a concussion.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke MetcalfFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
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Prop for Warriors is number 15 Mitchell BarnettProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Bayley SironenInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Josh CurranInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Freddy LussickReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Matt Frawley
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Last time they met
In their last encounter, the Warriors got the upper hand, defeating the Raiders 36-14 at GIO Stadium Canberra. But it is worth noting that historically the Raiders have a slightly better success rate, winning 23 out of their last 45 games against the Warriors.
Key Match-ups
Jordan Rapana v Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
These are two of the NRL’s best wingers to date, where speed, agility, and reliability is guaranteed to be on display this Friday.
Jordan Rapana is a decorated veteran, having played 193 games with 101 tries under his belt.
He has cemented himself as one of the league’s most experienced and dangerous wingers in the game.
Although his attacking statistics are impressive, his impressive defensive efforts have proved why he is so valuable, boasting a remarkable 82.5% tackle efficiency.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is having a standout 2023 campaign and will be a major threat for the Raiders.
The New Zealand representative is in career best form, having scored 15 tries in 12 appearances, while also averaging 158 running metres.
Both of these wingers have the ability to break the game open, making this a must watch clash as the two sides battle it out for fourth spot. Their agility, flair, and class will be sure to entertain on Friday, as the pair display some acrobatic football that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Jamal Fogarty v Shaun Johnson
Fogarty and Johnson will be going head-to-head this Friday as they aim to take control of the game and orchestrate a valuable victory.
Fogarty is arguably in his career best form, improving each week with his creative passing plays, and pinpoint kicking.
After finishing in eighth in 2022, Fogarty has revived the Raiders in 2023, gelling the side together as they climb the ladder and hunt for the premiership.
Fogarty has proved to be a real threat for opposition teams, assisting 11 tries in 16 games, whilst also scoring three tries of his own. His kicking game is what has helped him take control of his opposition, averaging 13 dropouts and 389 kicking metres.
Fogarty’s defence is just as good as his attack, recording a 90.5% tackle efficiency he has shown his worth in both attack and defence.
Johnson has been a top halfback in the NRL for some time now, with his elusive running game and creative passing causing his opposition to struggle to stop him.
The seasoned veteran has proved once again this season why he is such a danger, recording three tries and 19 try assists in 18 games.
The Warriors half is also valuable in defence, logging an impressive 92.3% tackle efficiency which has only added to his worth.
This will be a great match up to watch as the pair try to take control of the game and dictate play as they hunt for victory.
Josh Papalii v Addin Fonua-Blake
Two of the competition’s best front rowers collide this Friday in New Zealand, where hard hits and brutal tackles will be sure to rock the stadium.
Josh Papalii has been a lethal threat in the NRL for a number of seasons, with his ruthless tackles and hard-hitting runs proving himself as the leagues best.
The experienced front rower has shown his attacking flair in 2023, averaging 129 running metres whilst posting 22 tackle breaks, eight offloads and one try this season.
Papalii has proved why he is such an influential member of the Raiders through his attack, but his defence is just as impressive as he motivates his side with his enforcing hits and high work rate, recording an amazing 96.1% tackle efficiency.
Fonua-Blake has been a key factor in the Warriors success in 2023, and there is no doubt he will try to prove his worth against the in-form Raiders on Friday.
The front rower is having a standout 2023 campaign, and has proved himself as a major attacking threat, scoring six tries in 18 appearances this season.
Fonua-Blake’s hard runs have been hard to stop for his opposition, with the Warriors forward recording 54 tackle breaks and 24 offloads.
The Warriors prop is also a crucial asset in defence and he puts a stop to any opposition attack with his 96.3% tackle efficiency.
This pair will line up opposite each other on Friday in what will be a brutal and entertaining battle.
Both of these enforcers will aim to set the tone and asset dominance in New Zealand with the fight for fourth place on the line.
