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The Warriors face a short turnaround when they take on the Raiders in back-to-back home games at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Friday night. 

Both sides are well-placed in the top eight but can ill-afford a slip-up or two in the final six weeks of the season as they look to surge towards the top four. 

The Warriors spoiled Jarrod Croker's 300th party only six weeks ago and coming off a bye it will be fresh in the mind of the Raiders, who have won their last three matches since going down in the nation's capital. 

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart was less than impressed with his side's efforts against the Dragons in Round 19 despite victory.

The Raiders have a kind draw at their disposal for the remainder of the regular season but will need to show more if they want to challenge the top teams come the finals. 

Team news

Warriors: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Mitch Barnett moving into the starting side and Bunty Afoa going to the bench in his return from concussion. Bayley Sironen and Josh Curran came on to the bench on Thursday with Tom Ale dropping out and Freddy Lussick going to 18th Man. Marata Niukore returns from suspension.

Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes. Canberra have received a triple boost with Josh Papali'i (hamstring), Corey Horsburgh (Origin) and Pasami Saulo (concussion) all back on deck. Ata Mariota goes back to the bench after playing prop in Round 19 and Matt Frawley goes to 18th Man. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

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 Zac Woolford
  • Prop for Warriors is number 15 Mitchell Barnett
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Bayley Sironen
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Josh Curran
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Freddy Lussick
    Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Matt Frawley

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Warriors big man Addin Fonua-Blake has made more post-contact metres than any other player (1118).
  • The Raiders will play in New Zealand for the first time since 2019.
  • Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 13 tries in his past eight games.
  • The Raiders have won six consecutive away games.
  • The Warriors are the highest scoring team since Round 14 (scored 210 points).

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.

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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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