NRL 2021: New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders, round 24 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 26 Aug 2021, 06:01 PM

If Reece Walsh had landed his last two kicks at goal last weekend, this match would have featured two teams in a tie for eighth.

Instead, the Raiders are equal eighth but probably need two wins and one Cronulla loss to reach the finals due to an inferior points differential.

The Warriors - beaten by Brisbane last weekend - need two wins and for a host of other things to go their way if they're to continue beyond round 25.

Irrespective of whether these teams reach the finals, pride will ensure this match is keenly contested.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Friday 27 Aug

Full Time

Warriors

Raiders

Venue: BB Print Stadium, Mackay

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Warriors: Josh Curran (head knock) is in doubt with a short five-day turnaround not helping his cause this week.

Eliesa Katoa (foot) has been named but is in some doubt.

Rocco Berry (hamstring) and Kane Evans are included in the reserves after returns from injury but are unlikely to be late inclusions.

Sean O'Sullivan is the new five-eighth with Chanel Harris-Tavita out of the side for a week with a foot injury.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Jack Murchie dropped out of the playing squad on Friday.

The Warriors have lost seven games by six points or less in 2021.

Raiders: No further changes are expected with Matt Frawley to start at halfback with Sam Williams relegated to the reserves.

Jordan Rapana holds the fullback spot for now but Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is likely to make his way back into the starting side within the next fortnight.

Corey Horsburgh returns from his two-week stint on loan to the Bulldogs and slots onto the bench with Dunamis Lui dropping out.

Semi Valemai and Trey Mooney were omitted from the reserves 24 hours before kick-off.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart can achieve his 100th coaching victory for the club.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Friday 27 Aug

Full Time

Warriors

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian Kris
Centre for Warriors is number 20 Rocco Berry

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Harley Smith-Shields
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Sean O'Sullivan

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Matt Frawley

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matthew Lodge

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Josh Curran

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Bayley Sironen

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Kodi Nikorima

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Eliesa Katoa

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Kane Evans

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Siliva Havili

Reserves

Reserve for Warriors is number 17 Jazz Tevaga

Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Dunamis Lui

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:44 PM

Key match-up

Addin Fonua-Blake v Josh Papalii. There's sure to be a ferocious battle, and plenty of respect, when this pair meet on the field. Two of the premier big men in the NRL, they love nothing more than putting their team on their back and carrying them to victory.

Stat attack

Veteran winger Jordan Rapana is having his best season in years, with his performances while filling in at fullback a highlight. Rapana ranks second in tackle busts with 118, fourth for total runs with 365 and seventh in run meters with 3231.

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