NRL, ROUND 2, CANBERRA RAIDERS v WESTS TIGERS

MARCH 16th, 2024 GIO STADIUM,CANBERRA.AUSTRALIA

Fresh Start: Wests Tigers Begin Season Against Raiders

After a convincing victory in round 1, the Raiders are set to host the Wests Tigers led by Benji Marshall, who are making their premiership season debut following a bye in the opening round.

New Faces, New Hopes: Tigers’ Debutants Ready to Impress

With only a Preseason Challenge performance to go on, Benji Marshall will hope the team’s off-field work over the preseason will be enough to make it a competitive start to the year. Along with a new coach, plenty of new faces will make their premiership debut for the Tigers. Marshall has enlisted teen sensation Lachlan Galvin to take on the role of number 6, forming a partnership with the new halfback, Jayden Sullivan.

Fresh Hope for Tigers Fans: Benji’s Belief in Squad’s Efforts

With off-field administration and player problems being widely covered, the double wooden spooners’ first game for the season will be a chance to give fans fresh hope for the 2024 campaign. Benji is of the belief that his squad comprises individuals who have diligently worked to secure their positions. Justin Olam will have to wait for his premiership debut after a knee injury from last year flared up during the last pre-season game. The gun Papua Guinea international and former Melbourne Storm centre is set to return, fighting fit in round 3.

Raiders’ Gritty Start: Dominant Forward Pack and Fogarty’s Kicking Brilliance

Canberra showed a classic gritty performance for their start to the 2024 season, coming up trumps 24-18 against the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.Ricky Stuart wasted no time in highlighting the contributions made by what he perceives as his underrated forward pack.The forwards laid the groundwork for Jamal Fogarty’s kicking prowess to shine in the round 1 showdown. With Fogarty’s foot soldiers maintaining a high completion rate, his kicking game flourished, accumulating over 800 kicking meters.

Depth in Raiders’ Forward Line: Shining Stars and Solid Performances

Although key forwards Corey Horsburgh and Elliott Whitehead were out through suspension and injury, The Raiders’ round-one pack shone. Raiders new face Zac Hosking had a day out round 1, joining fellow back-rowers Emre Guler and Hudson Young to produce a slick try for Young in the 79th minute. The Raiders are showing that they have a depth of solid forwards ready to take it to the opposition this season.

Exciting Returns and Promising Prospects: Raiders’ Backline Boost

The Canberra Raider’s back line will have some extra punch with Sebastian Kris returning from a five-game suspension. Ricky Stuart has also talked up Ethan Strange in five-eight, who he believes has plenty more for us to see as a halves combination with Jamal Fogarty.

Key Stats and Predictions for the Clash

Raiders have won the last seven meetings between the teams

Raiders won seven of their 12 home games last season

All of those wins were by a 1-12 margin

Under 44.5 points has landed in seven of the last eight meetings

Raiders saw Under 44.5 points in Round 1

Jordan Rapana has scored 15 tries in 13 games vs Tigers, any time try scorer here.

Xavier Savage has scored a try in five of his last six games

Charlie Staines scored a try vs Raiders last season and looks most likely for the Tigers on the wing

Team line-Ups

Tigers

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To’a 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Junior Tupou 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Aidan Sezer 15. Fonua Pole 16. Alex Twal 17. Samuela Fainu 18. Asu Kepaoa 19. Tallyn Da Silva 20. Justin Matamua 21. Alexander Lobb 22. Jake Simpkin

Raiders

1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Nick Cotric 19. Kaeo Weekes 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Zac Woolford 22. Trey Mooney

Referees: Peter Gough

Side line Officials: Wyatt Raymond, Paki Parkinson

Video Referees: Ashley Klein

PREDICTION

You can not go past the Raiders here at home in front of their loud fans, and their forwards look so good. Rapana any time try scorer.

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