NRL, ROUND 22, JULY 29th, 2023 CANBERRA RAIDERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
GIO STADIUM,CANBERRA
The stage is set for a thrilling NRL encounter as Round 22 approaches, with the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights poised to lock horns at the iconic GIO Stadium in Canberra on July 29th, 2023.
With the regular season rapidly winding down, every game carries immense significance for both teams. The Raiders and Knights are fiercely battling to secure the best possible ladder positions as they aim for a spot in the playoffs. This encounter marks the first of three NRL games scheduled for Saturday, featuring the 5th placed Raiders hosting the Knights, who are just a single competition point outside the top eight.
Last week’s heartbreak saw the Canberra Raiders suffer a narrow loss to the Warriors in a pulsating contest. A thrilling late comeback by the Raiders leveled the scores, but they fell short in the dying moments of regular time, succumbing to a Shaun Johnson field goal. Despite the setback, the Raiders remain determined to bounce back with their unaltered lineup, including Corey Horsburgh, who received only a fine despite previous charges of contrary conduct.
On the other hand, the Newcastle Knights have found their form and are riding high on a three-game winning streak. Their resurgence commenced with an impressive 66-point thrashing of Canterbury in Round 18, and they continued to impress by triumphing over the formidable Melbourne Storm last week.
Newcastle has showcased resilience and character, particularly evident in their recent victory against the Storm. This triumph highlighted the Knights’ ability to challenge top-tier teams, proving they are formidable contenders in the NRL.
Injuries have necessitated changes in the Knights’ lineup, with Daniel Saifiti missing the upcoming game due to a thigh strain. His brother Jacob will step up in the starting front row, while Brodie Jones will make his long-awaited return to the NRL from the bench. Adam Elliott, charged with a careless high tackle offense, has been cleared to face his former club, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the clash.
The history between these two sides further adds to the excitement, with intriguing statistics and player milestones in play.
The Knights had the upper hand in their first encounter this season, securing a victory back in Round 4. However, the Raiders are eager to avenge that defeat and will relish the chance to challenge the Knights once more.
Star players on both sides will play pivotal roles. Hudson Young has been on fire, scoring a try in his last four games against the Knights, while Dominic Young boasts an incredible scoring record of 19 tries in 17 games this season. Raiders’ Matt Timoko, along with Jordan Rapana, have both displayed scoring prowess in recent matches.
In conclusion, brace yourselves for an electrifying NRL showdown as the Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights prepare to clash in Round 22. With both teams vying for a favourable ladder position, every moment will be packed with excitement, skill, and drama. Don’t miss the chance to witness this epic encounter at GIO Stadium in Canberra. The stage is set for a captivating display of rugby league talent and determination!
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. Nick Cotric 19. Matt Frawley 20. Trey Mooney 21. Ethan Strange 22. Utuloa Asouma
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Brodie Jones 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Jack Johns
Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Belinda Sharpe; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;
PREDICTION
The Raiders are coming off a golden point loss last week in Auckland when they went down 21-20 to the Warriors. The Raiders were better across the board statistically, so would have to be a little concerned that they were down 20-6 with less than 20 minutes remaining. They stormed back into the game with 3 late tries, but ultimately went down to a Shuan Johnson field goal.
The Knights are coming off a massive win in round 21, when they defeated the Storm in front of a parochial home crowd on Saturday afternoon, winning 26-18. That’s three straight wins for the Knights, who are pushing hard for an unlikely spot in the finals.
The Raiders will start as favourites and should win in a close game, but I will take the Knights with a points start of 10.5 points.
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