After a strong first-half performance turned into a tough second-half defeat against the Bulldogs, the Canberra Raiders will look to bounce back and make a statement when they host the Titans at GIO Stadium this weekend.
Conversely, the Titans surged to a 24-20 victory over the Newcastle Knights last week, scoring four unanswered tries in a stunning comeback that will no doubt have Des Hasler’s men fired up and full of energy as they charge into the Nation’s Capital this Sunday.
Match: Raiders v Titans
Round 11 -
home Team
Raiders
4th Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
These two sides met just four weeks ago in round seven, when the Raiders turned a trailing 16-nil scoreline into a dominant 30-20 victory to upend the Titans, so tensions are sure to be high.
The Titans welcome back Jayden Campbell and Alofiana Khan-Pereira for Sunday, who were absent from round seven's matchup between the pair of sides.
This week’s clash will serve as final origin tryouts for the likes of Hudson Young, Corey Horsburgh, Beau Fermor and Tino Fa'asuamaleau; so, match defining performances are expected.
So as the Raiders look to rebound and the Titans look to convert their win and avenge their previous loss to the green machine, both teams are sure to be at their best this weekend.
Talking Points:
- Matty Nicholson is set for a 12-week stint on the sideline after suffering a lower-leg injury in the late stages of last Saturday’s game which will see Zac Hosking start in the second row.
- Corey Horsburgh is back on deck after a head knock during Magic Round saw him miss last week’s game.
- The Raiders have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Titans.
- No other changes in the Raiders team sheet as Jed Stuart lines up as 18th man.
- Titans veteran Kieran Foran is set for his first match this season since injuring his biceps during the Pre-Season challenge.
Last time they met:
Last time these two teams met, the Raiders executed a screaming 30-20 comeback against the Titans in round seven, 2025 at CBUS Super Stadium.
Head-to-head:
Since 1998, the Raiders have played the Titans 32 times, winning 19 of them for a 59.4% efficiency rate.
Key Matchup
Joe Tapine v Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Joe Tapine has had an electric start to the season. Tapine is not only a standout player showcasing his power and athleticism, but also a skilled leader as captain of the Canberra Raiders.
Tapine is a force to be reckoned with, making 262 tackles with a 94% tackle efficiency so far this season. His quick thinking in the ruck with fast offloads makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition. Adding to this is his high number of post contact metres, helping the Raiders gain valuable ground when attacking their line.
Tapine’s not only a weapon in defence but also a strong attacking player having scored two tries so far this season. His fast footwork and ability to quickly change direction makes him a versatile player on the field.
On the other side, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui attacks his opponents with relentless aggression and a strong intensity. His game play isn’t as creative as Tapine’s, but he makes up for it in strong post contact metres, already making 511 metres this season. Also a captain, he leads his team on the field with passion as he challenges the ruck limiting his opposition’s chance of gaining post contact metres.
It's a battle of the forwards when they go head-to-head this Sunday at GIO Stadium.
