After a strong performance against the Titans in Round 11, the Toyota Forklifts Canberra Raiders travel to Go Media Stadium in Auckland to take on the Warriors this Sunday.
The Raiders had a strong performance across the park in their last outing, with a notable performance from Xavier Savage who bagged a hat-trick and Matt Timoko with a double.
The Raiders did not let their guard down in both halves, towering over the Titans 40-24.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 12 -
home Team
Warriors
3rd Position
away Team
Raiders
2nd Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Meanwhile, the Warriors have also had a strong start to the season winning their past five games. They were victorious against the Dolphins last week, securing a 26-12 win.
With both teams in great form, this clash will not be one to miss with the outcome determining who will take second spot on the ladder.
Talking points:
- Raiders’ second-rower Hudson Young will miss this match due to his selection for NSW for Origin Game I.
- Noah Martin will make his NRL debut for the Raiders this Sunday.
- Simi Sasagi will move from the interchange bench to second row to replace Hudson Young.
- Warriors players James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett will miss this match due to suspension and Origin selection respectively. Bunty Afoa (knee injury) and Jackson Ford (concussion) return this weekend to fill these holes.
- So far this season the Warriors have won all four games played in New Zealand.
- The Raiders have not won in New Zealand since 2019.
- Raiders’ winger Xavier Savage has scored four tries in his past two games.
Last time they met:
The last time these two teams met, the Raiders demonstrated a brilliant 30-8 win in the season opener in Las Vegas to kick off the 2025 NRL season.
Key Matchup:
Jamal Fogarty v Luke Metcalf
Jamal Fogarty is a key member of the Raiders’ backline and spine. His strong playmaking ability allows him to guide his team on the field, orchestrating their attacking plays and helping exploit the opposition’s defensive weaknesses. Already this season he has had 11 try assists, almost surpassing his season record of 15.
His elite kicking game catches his opponents off guard as he applies intense pressure through his use of high bombs and strategic grubbers. So far this season he has notched up an impressive average of 441 kicking metres per game and a goal conversion rate of 78%. Fogarty is also strong in defence having made 261 tackles with a 92% efficiency this season.
Meanwhile, Luke Metcalf is renowned for his agility and speed on the field, allowing him to seek defensive gaps to create opportunities for his team to score. Already this season he has assisted four tries and made five line break assists.
Metcalf is beginning to develop his playmaking skills on the field and combined with his ability to change direction quickly, he is a force to be reckoned with. He continues to improve under the guidance of his coaching staff and is emerging as one of the strongest playmakers in the competition.
Both of these players will be on the hunt this weekend for opportunities for their teams to exploit defensive weaknesses.
This battle between Fogarty and Metcalf is sure to be a feature of this clash.
Head-to-head:
Since 1998 the Raiders have played the Warriors 49 times, claiming victory on 25 occasions.
