NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Tigers

Heading into Saturday’s showdown, the Raiders will be hopeful of continuing their three-game winning streak and keeping their late push towards a finals birth alive.

Canberra will be without the likes of Owen Pattie who has accepted a one match suspension, as well as Hudson Young after suffering a season ending Achillies injury against the Rabbitohs.

These omissions see Tom Starling shift to the starting team along with Jayden Brailey being added to the bench as cover, in addition to Zac Hosking sliding out to an edge and Morgan Smithies moving into the starting lock role.

Despite the high-profile exclusions, fans will be excited to see the potential returns of Matty Nicholson and Sebastian Kris, who take their places on the six-man bench after returning from injury.

For the Tigers, Adam Doueihi successfully challenged his charge from round 20 making him available for selection despite being named in the reserves, with the debut of Javon Andrews potentially being put on ice.

Elsewhere, Junior Tupou will make his first appearance for the Tigers since returning from the Roosters on a train-and-trial contract for the remainder of the season.

Talking Points:

• Canberra will be without Owen Pattie and Hudson Young.
• Matty Nicholson could potentially play his first game of 2026.
• Junior Tupou plays his first game for the Tigers since returning to the club
• The Raiders enjoy a strong history against Wests in recent years, winning 10 of their previous 12 matchups.

Last Time They Met:

The Tigers defeated the Raiders 33-14 at Leichhardt Oval in round eight of the 2026 season.

What’s good about this club, we have good depth and good experienced boys that can cover different positions. If one man goes down, we’ve got a lot of boys that’ll put their hand up.

Simi Sasagi #395

Key Matchup: Ethan Strange V Jarome Luai

GIO Stadium is set to host one of the showdowns of the year between two of the premier five-eighths in the competition, as Ethan Strange and Jarome Luai come face-to-face on Saturday afternoon.

Still in the early stages of his career, Ethan Strange’s importance to the lime green has become immeasurable as his attacking ability can unsettle any team in the competition.

Starting the season in a quiet manner, Strange has enjoyed a triumphant return to form coinciding with the Raiders climb up the ladder in recent weeks.

Strange’s form this season has taken him as far as a State of Origin debut for the Blues, with arguably his best footy still ahead of him this year.

Challenging teams with his strong ball carrying and physicality, Strange is sure to have the Tigers defence on high alert this weekend.

On the other side of the field, another Blues five-eight will be tasked with going toe-to-toe with Strange, as Jarome Luai looks to turn the Tigers fortunes around after a challenging few weeks.

Despite the Tigers and Luai’s form coming into question in recent weeks, his ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck has been unmatched in recent years.

Luai’s leadership and aggressive approach to games has never wavered throughout his career and is a big reason why the Tigers five-eight can single handly turn a match on its head.

Fans are sure to be treated to a ball carrying masterclass with Strange and Luai lining up against each other on Saturday afternoon, as both players look to lead their teams toward the top eight.