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After Mudgee played host to Manly and Canberra in round four, it's Wagga Wagga's turn to welcome the NRL road train to town this weekend when Canberra and Melbourne renew an intense rivalry that has produced some epic clashes in recent years.

The Storm took the honours in both games in 2021 but the Raiders have fond memories of two emotion-charged wins in enemy territory at AAMI Park in round three, 2020 and also the 2019 qualifying final.

Based on last weekend's form it's hard to see the Raiders troubling the Storm, who dismantled the Bulldogs 44-0 a day after the Green Machine stalled in a 25-6 loss to Manly.

With Ryan Papenhuyzen in devastating form and star signing Xavier Coates running for 201 metres, the Storm reminded us yet again of the potency they possess and their ability to tear apart any side that isn't on song in defence.

Match Highlights: Raiders v Storm

The Rundown

Team news

Raiders: A late change on game day with Hudson Young out and his place taken by Ryan Sutton in jersey No.19. Xavier Savage is 18th man.

Tom Starling will start at hooker. 

Storm: The Storm are 1-17 with no late changes as Craig Bellamy goes with the same 17 that got the job done in style against the Bulldogs. Jayden Nikorima is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
    Winger for Storm is number 2 Nick Meaney
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Semi Valemei
    Centre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
    Winger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad Schneider
    Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
    Hooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera
    2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 19 Ryan Sutton
    2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Elliott Whitehead
    Lock for Storm is number 13 Josh King

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Matt Frawley
    Interchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Adam Elliott
    Interchange for Storm is number 16 Trent Loiero
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Horsburgh
    Interchange for Storm is number 17 Tepai Moeroa

Reserves

  • Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Xavier Savage
    Replacement for Storm is number 21 Jayden Nikorima

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Cameron Munster v Jack Wighton: Two men with an uncanny ability to pick their team up and carry them home when the game is on the line. Both powerful runners with ball in hand, both capable of laying on a try for their outside men with a precision pass. Munster has formed a dynamic combination with the crafty and classy Jahrome Hughes while Wighton is shouldering much of the playmaking load as youngster Brad Schneider finds his way in the big time.

Stat attack

Ryan Papenhuyzen's 28-point haul against the Bulldogs is the second most ever in a game for the Storm. Matt Geyer holds the club record with 34 points courtesy of four tries and nine goals against Western Suburbs in 1999. 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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