Canberra Raiders Cup Round Six Preview

Round Six of the Canberra Raiders Cup provides some exciting contests, headlined by a top four clash in the Match of the Round.

Queanbeyan Kangaroos vs Belconnen United Sharks

3:00PM, Saturday at Seears Workwear Oval

This week's match of the round is set to be an exciting contest between two top four sides who will be desperate to make an early season statement. 

The Kangaroos bounce into this week off the back of an impressive victory against the Magpies last weekend, which Rob Sheffield declared a solid team performance. 

"It was a good team performance; it was a nice thing that everything clicked for us. We were on and we were able to capitalise on it," Sheffield said. 

The Kangaroos have secured three wins in a row after suffering defeat to cross down rivals the Blues in the opening game of the season, with this giving the two-time defending premiers a reminder on what's important in their game. 

"I think that having that loss against the Blues we were able to take a lot from it and put it into training and be able to come out of that with a couple of good wins and we are really trying to move forward on to where we want to be." 

Sheffield has been in terrific form to start the season, since moving to the wing, however joked about it being due to the performances of others when asked about his form. 

"I think it's more luck than anything, I play outside a pretty good half and a really good team so it's just about being in the right spot and putting the ball down."

The Kangaroos have had this fixture against the Sharks circled since the start of the season, with the Roos winger excited for the challenge which comes with facing a side like Belconnen United. 

"They are a big, physical team so we know they are going to be coming for us and it’s going to be won through the middle." 

Meanwhile, the Sharks went down in a tight, back and forth affair against the Blues, however the nature of the loss can instill the side with confidence they compete with the top sides in the competition.

Captain Coach Zach Patch declared that despite the loss his side was able to learn from the narrow two-point defeat to the Blues with it showing his side where they compare.  

"Heaps of confidence out of (loss to the Blues), it never hurts to lose one to a top four side early either because if you go out and win all those games you get a little bit ahead of yourselves," Patch said. 

Belconnen United's defense has been area that the side are looking to improve upon this weekend, particularly their defense on their goal-line. 

"There's been an emphasis on goal-line defense and trusting our process which we have probably gone a little bit away from with having individuals trying to fix on their own."

The Sharks have been led impressively by their forwards, with their Captain Coach declaring they will play a key role in this weekend's match. 

"We’ve got the best forward pack in the competition, and we know they’ll get us down there and we’ve got all the strike in the world so its just about holding them out."

Patch is aware of the x-factor in the Kangaroos lineup with the side's ability to protect their try line a key in deciding this weekend's match of the round. 

"It’s our defensive line; we have had three games out of the four where the opposition has put points on to early which we’ve acknowledged and worked on it. So that will be a big thing for us."

This match up shapes up to be an exciting fixture as both sides look to cement their spot inside the top four.  

Tuggeranong Bushrangers vs Queanbeyan Blues

3:00PM, Saturday at Greenway Oval  

The top of the table Blues travels to Tuggeranong for a clash against the Bushrangers this Saturday afternoon.

It has been a tough start to the season for Tuggeranong as they still await their first win of the season, with their latest defeat at the hands of the Rams.

Meanwhile, last years runners up have put the competition on notice early in the season with a strong start seeing the side with four wins in five rounds.

The Bushrangers are looking for their first win of the season, however the task will be difficult against a red-hot Queanbeyan Blues outfit.

Gungahlin Bulls vs Woden Valley Rams

3:00PM, Saturday at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval

The Gungahlin Bulls welcome the Woden Valley Rams to Gungahlin Enclosed Oval in a battle of the horns on Saturday afternoon.

Gungahlin enter round six after suffering defeat against the Bulldogs last weekend, however a victory this weekend will see the side match their win tally from last season.

Whilst the Rams, secured a come from behind win last weekend against the Bushrangers and will be looking to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

This matchup will be intriguing with it providing the Bulls an opportunity to see where they stand, compared with a 2024 finalist in the Rams.

West Belconnen Warriors vs Goulburn City Bulldogs

3:00PM, Saturday at Raiders Belconnen

The Goulburn City Bulldogs travel to Belconnen this Saturday afternoon for an interesting matchup against the West Belconnen Warriors.

The Warriors currently sit second on the Canberra Raiders Cup ladder and enter this weekend fresh of a bye in round five.

Goulburn City impressed last weekend against the Bulls in the match of the round with a two-try victory, which currently sees the Bulldogs sit one win out of the top four.

Saturday afternoon poises as a danger game for the Warriors with the Bulldogs coming off a confidence boosting win.