The Toyota Forklifts Raiders are looking to impress at home this weekend as they face the Parramatta Eels on Sunday evening at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
After a disappointing 36-22 loss to the Sharks last Sunday, the Raiders will be desperate to return to their winning ways at home against the Eels.
The Eels will also be looking to redeem themselves this weekend after a missed penalty goal in the dying stages, resulted in a cruel 17-16 loss to the Tigers on Easter Monday.
Match: Raiders v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan RapanaFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 James SchillerWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Blaize Talagi
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Eels is number 7 Dylan Brown
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny LeviHooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Eels is number 15 Wiremu Greig
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Ata Mariota2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Simi SasagiInterchange for Eels is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami SauloInterchange for Eels is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Kaeo WeekesReplacement for Eels is number 22 Morgan Harper
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Talking Points:
- Simi Sasagi will become Raider #395 after he was named to make his debut for the club this weekend.
- With Zac Hosking ruled out of this week’s match due to a concussion obtained last week, Ata Mariota will replace Hosking in the second row, with Sasagi to come off the bench.
- After an impressive performance scoring two tries in his first NRL game of 2024 last weekend, James Schiller is set to keep his spot on the wing for round five.
- The Eels have promoted centre Bailey Simonsson and forward Wiremu Greig to their team, with Morgan Harper and Brendan Hands dropping to the reserves list. This will mark Greig’s first NRL game of 2024 after three games in the NSW Cup.
We know we're better than that. We'll correct that this week with our performance this weekend. I'm confident in this group that we can do that.
Tom Starling #362
Last Time They Met
The Raiders defeated the Eels 26-18 in round 11 of last season at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
Key Match-Up: Joseph Tapine v Junior Paulo
All eyes will be on the clash between the two powerhouse forwards Joseph Tapine and Junior Paulo as they take the field this Sunday at GIO Stadium.
Tapine, leading the Raiders in the absence of Elliot Whitehead, has been a force to reckoned with in the 2024 season.
With an impressive 123 tackles and a staggering 94.6 percent tackle efficiency, alongside an average of 153 running metres, Tapine has shown his ability to break through opposition lines and gain valuable ground for his team.
Paulo has shown his strength as a prop this season, with 71 tackles and a 96 percent tackle efficiency, as well as an average of 130 running metres per game. Paulo has demonstrated his defensive prowess, alongside his ability to bulldoze through defensive lines.
Both sets of fans will be looking to the battle in the forward pack as they will undoubtedly be instrumental in the result on Sunday evening.
Head-to-Head
This will be the 40th matchup between the two clubs, with the Raiders holding an advantage of 22 wins compared to the Eels 17.
