Raiders razzle dazzle their way into finals

Media Conference 

History makers: The Raiders and Tigers will both play finals for the first time. Despite finishing with consecutive losses the Tigers are locked in to fourth spot and will face premiers Brisbane next week. The Raiders will finish fifth or sixth depending on Newcastle's result on Sunday.

Full-time: The Raiders notch their sixth win for the season after they were tested until the end by a Wests Tigers side also gearing up finals footy. Mackenzie Wiki had a night out for the Green Machine, chalking up two line breaks, 119 run metres and a first half try. Meanwhile, Chante Temara was enormous in defence with two crucial trysavers.

70 min: McGregor's kick to the sideline and the ball bounces out before the Raiders can get to it. Canberra throw in a captain's challenge but the ball Tigers hold on to the football for one last attacking raid. 

68 min: The Raiders march downfield and Preston slices through the middle of the field to score under the posts and seal the win for the visitors. Raiders 22-10.

65 min: No denying Nour this time. The crafty hooker fools the Raiders defence with a show-and-go from close range to bring her side back within a try. Raiders 16-10.

64 min: Krystal Blackwell is placed on report for direct contact to the head which sees Henderson leave the field for a HIA.

63 min: Canberra have another opportunity on the line but some great defence from McGregor and Harmony Crichton force a knock on from Bobbi Law.

62 min: A charging run and quick play the ball from Shaniece Monschau puts the Raiders on the back foot and Salma Nour scoots from dummy half to wrestle her way over the line. However, the try is disallowed after the bunker rules a knock on and Chante Temara notches another try saver.

61 min: Back-to-back penalties from the Raiders give the Tigers an opportunity to reset in the Red Zone.

54 min: The Raiders build momentum and look to go further ahead but the Tigers scramble in defence to force an error out of Jordyn Preston.

48 min: Sarah Togatuki takes on the line from close range but Chante Temara charges her way up to force an error from the star forward.

45 min: The Raiders go left and Grace Kemp stalls the Tigers' defence with an impromptu 360 and some quick hands to the edge sends Waterman over in the corner. Temara slots the extras from the sideline. Raiders 16-4.

41 min: Jetaya Faifua finds Shenai Lendill on the left who crashes through the Raiders' defence and reaches over her head to put the ball down for the Tigers' first try of the match. Raiders 10-4.

41 min: Lutu puts up a soaring kick on the last play and Gallagher spills the football in the Danger Zone.

39 min: The Raiders go on the attack and shift the ball right for Gallagher but the fullback runs out of room and is dragged into touch.

37 min: Tufuga makes up for the error for her side, forcing a knock on after some solid contact on Portia Bourke on the line.

36 min: It's not the start the Raiders would have been hoping for with Wiki knocking the ball on off the kick off.

Half-time: The Raiders take a 10-point lead into half time despite both sides completing at 83 per cent. It was the visitors' strike in attack that separates the two sides at the break with the Raiders notching 21 tackle breaks and the Tigers just 9.

35 min: The Tigers mount an attack in the dying stages of the first-half with Rogan in space on the outside but Wiki comes up with a superb try saver.

27 min: The Raiders put together a shift right and Leianne Tufuga breaks through the line to put the visitors further ahead. Raiders 10-0.

26 min: Shenai Lendill is pinned for a dangerous tackle and the Raiders are back on the attack.

21 min: The Raiders are deep in their own territory but Mackenzie Wiki finds space and gets an offload to Charlotte Basham. The Raiders look short off a quick play the ball and find Wiki again to cross for the first try of the match. Raiders 4-0.

17 min: Sheridan Gallagher puts up an aerial assault and the ball is spilled by Kayla Henderson. Raiders penalty 10m out but the visitors can't crack the Tigers' defence.

13 min: The Raiders get an opportunity to go on the attack with Christian Pio penalised for offside. Temara looks to Bobbi Law on the left but the centre couldn't hang on to it and more points go begging.

11 min: Zahara Temara puts up a testing bomb and Harmony Crichton leaps high but is tackled in the air by Isabella Waterman. 

7 min: The Tigers go left on the scrum but a golden opportunity goes begging for the Tigers with Lily Rogan putting down a questionable pass.

6 min: On the back of a strong defensive effort the Raiders concede a penalty for a high tackle and the Wests Tigers build attacking pressure after forcing an error off the boot of Raecene McGregor.

3 min: Both sides get through their opening sets without errors and making good metres.

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: No further game day changes after Kezie Apps (leg) and Caitlin Turnbull (foot) dropped out on Thursday. Kayla Henderson takes over at fullback while Shaniece Monschau will start in the back row. Tara Reinke and Jetaya Faifua have been added to the bench alongside Shenai Lendill who returns from an arm injury. Tyla Amiatu is 18th player.

Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes. With co-captain Simaima Taufa banned for three games after being found guilty of Dangerous Contact at the judiciary, England representative Holli-Mae Dodd will fill in at lock. Lili Boyle will take her spot on the bench, with Ellie Brander the new 18th player. 

Numbers Game

• Wests Tigers have won only one from six at Leichhardt Oval.
• The Raiders have won all three games they have played against Wests Tigers.
• Raiders centre Leianne Tufuga is set to play in her 50th NRLW game.\
• Raiders captain Zahara Temara requires three points for 200 points for the Raiders.