Warriors v Raiders: Asi starts in new colours; Whitehead ruled out
The Warriors and Raiders ran into the NRL's two benchmark teams in round seven and came away with demoralising defeats by 60 and 30 points respectively.
After Canberra spent the entire second half inside their own territory in Sunday's 36-6 loss to Penrith it was hard to imagine any team doing it tougher than that but the Warriors found a way on Monday in Melbourne.
The Storm's ruthless 10-try second half left commentators grasping for superlatives and left Nathan Brown's men with a horror injury toll and only five days to pick themselves up ahead of a clash with a desperate Raiders outfit.
Brown and his opposite number Ricky Stuart face a massive task to get their teams back on track after their confidence took a hammering in ANZAC round.
Warriors v Raiders : Round 8
The Rundown
Team news
Warriors: Ben Murdoch-Masila has come into the squad on game day after being sidelined since round four with a knee injury. Taniela Otukolo goes back to 18th man.
Daejarn Asi, who has made a mid-season switch from the Cowboys, will start his first game for the Warriors — coming into the halves in place of Chanel Harris-Tavita, who ruptured his testicle in last week's loss to Melbourne.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (concussion), Josh Curran (knee), Aaron Pene (suspension) and Edward Kosi (omitted) are all out of the side. The new faces are Rocco Berry and Viliami Vailea in the outside backs and Jack Murchie and Eliesa Katoa on the bench, while Bayley Sironen moves into the starting side.
Raiders: Elliott Whitehead's return from a facial laceration will have to wait another week, with the captain ruled out of the side. Corey Harawira-Naera will start in the second row and Harry Rushton is on the bench after making his debut last week.
Adam Elliott has shifted to hooker on game day with Tom Starling going back to the bench.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
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Winger for Warriors is number 3 Jesse ArtharsWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
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Centre for Warriors is number 2 Rocco BerryCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Warriors is number 5 Viliami VaileaCentre for Raiders is number 4 Semi Valemei
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Winger for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 21 Daejarn AsiFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad Schneider
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Raiders is number 16 Adam Elliott
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Matthew LodgeProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen2nd Row for Raiders is number 15 Corey Harawira-Naera
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz TevagaLock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Eliesa KatoaInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jack MurchieInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Horsburgh
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Ben Murdoch-MasilaInterchange for Raiders is number 18 Harry Rushton
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 14 Taniela OtukoloReplacement for Raiders is number 19 Matt Frawley
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Addin Fonua-Blake v Josh Papalii: The battle for supremacy in the middle will go a long way to deciding the winner in Redcliffe and these two warriors know exactly what is required to lay the platform. AFB is averaging 152 metres per game and has come up with 18 tackle breaks while Papalii has churned out 115 metres per game and busted 16 tackles. The showdown between two of the NRL's most respected big men will be a highlight of this battle for redemption.
Stat attack
The last three clashes between these sides have produced a total of 149 points so expect another free-flowing encounter on a fast track at Moreton Daily Stadium. In round three last year they produced a classic shootout in Canberra with the Warriors clinging on to win 34-31 before the Raiders reversed the result 28-16 in Mackay in round 24.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Raiders
14th Position
Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
