6:15 pm SUNDAY, JULY 28th, 2024 GIO STADIUM,CANBERRA
RAIDERS AND RABBITOHS CLASH IN CRUCIAL SHOWDOWN AT GIO STADIUM
The Canberra Raiders will close out the round on Sunday evening against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a contest with major ramifications for both sides’ hopes of featuring in September.
After breaking a run of losses with a much-needed win at home last Friday, the Canberra Raiders will be determined to rise to the occasion as captain Elliott Whitehead becomes only the 15th man to play 200 NRL games for the club.
Most recently, the Raiders held off the Warriors despite being outscored four tries to three. Coach Ricky Stuart has maintained faith in the same squad, even though he only used 16 players in their 20-18 victory.
ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD TO CELEBRATE 200TH NRL GAME AS RAIDERS SEEK KEY WIN
Currently sitting two points adrift of the top eight with a -91 points differential, the Raiders face a challenging run home. After this weekend, all six of their remaining matches are against teams ranked above them on the ladder.
Under Ricky Stuart’s tenure, the Raiders have enjoyed a strong record against the Rabbitohs, with nine wins from 13 clashes. This includes a historic preliminary final victory in 2019, which was played before the largest recorded crowd at GIO Stadium.
TEAM NEWS: RABBITOHS ADJUST SQUAD WITH KEY PLAYERS MISSING
Surging up the premiership ladder to stand as a dark horse for the finals based on recent performances, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be hoping to defy a poor historical record in the nation’s capital.
After securing a 42-28 victory over the Wests Tigers last Saturday, interim coach Ben Hornby has moved Michael Chee Kam into the centres following Richie Kennar’s concussion-related absence. Jacob Host will also make his return to the second-row after a two-month lay-off.
Over the past three decades, the Rabbitohs have won seven of their 18 appearances at GIO Stadium, with only one of those victories coming when scoring fewer than five tries.
Local junior Keaon Koloamatangi will make his 100th appearance for the club. Despite his impressive form, the forward has never scored against the Raiders in first grade.
Raiders.
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies , 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Ata Mariota 17. Zac Hosking 18. Adam Cook, 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Zac Woolford 22. Emre Guler
The Rabbitohs have won six of their past seven matches to keep their top-eight dream alive, but they have no margin for error as they head to the national capital for a virtual elimination final.
With Cameron Murray (suspended) and Latrell Mitchell (foot) still sidelined, the Rabbitohs need to find a way to stay in contention until their two star players can return.
After facing the Raiders this week, the Rabbitohs will still have games against the Sharks, Storm, Panthers, and Roosters. If they manage to sneak into the top eight, it will be a remarkable achievement considering they were at the bottom of the ladder after 13 rounds.
Rabbitohs.
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Jacob Gagai , 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie , 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos , 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Le Blanc 18. Dion Teaupa 19. Fletcher Myers, 20. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson 21. Shaquai Mitchell 22. Brock Gray
Referee. Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Liam Kennedy, Drew Oultram, Bunker, Chris Butler.
KEY STATS: RAIDERS’ STRONG RECORD AGAINST RABBITOHS AND KOLOAMATANGI’S MILESTONE
The Raiders have won four of their past five games against South Sydney.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored five tries in his past three games against the Raiders.
Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty is undefeated in four games at GIO Stadium in 2024.
Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi will play his 100th NRL game.
Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Prediction.
I will go with the home team in cold Canberra.
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