Raiders v Wests Tigers: Kris back on deck; Galvin gets his shot
The Wests Tigers will be raring to go after a Round 1 bye but face a tough test against a Raiders team buoyed by a big first-up win over the Knights.
After picking up their second straight wooden spoon, the Wests Tigers must get away to a good start to keep loyal fans hopeful that 2024 will bring some much-needed success.
Rookie coach Benji Marshall will blood a host of new recruits with Jayden Sullivan and Aidan Sezer tipped to be handed first crack in the halves and star signing Justin Olam set to don new colours for the first time in his career.
Meanwhile, after downing the Knights 28-12 in arguably the biggest upset of Round 1, Ricky Stuart's side will fancy their chances against the wooden spooners as they open the gates on GIO Stadium for 2024.
Fogarty's composure and control with the boot was a standout for his side last week and the Wests Tigers will be sure to do their homework after the vice-captain scored two tries from pinpoint kicks aimed at the goalposts in their last meeting in 2023.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Raiders v Wests Tigers
Team News
Raiders: No late changes for coach Ricky Stuart, with the return of Seb Kris from suspension seeing him come in at centre and Albert Hopoate push out to the wing, with Nick Cotric dropping to 18th man. Hooker Danny Levi will play despite hurting his quad in Round 1 in Newcastle.
Wests Tigers: The side remains 1-17 for Benji Marshall's first official game as a NRL head coach. Teenager Lachlan Galvin makes his NRL debut in the halves alongside former Dragon Jayden Sullivan with Aidan Sezer on the bench. Also making his NRL debut is Brisbane Tigers 2023 grand final hero Solomona Faataape, who fills the hole left by Justin Olam (knee).
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan RapanaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert HopoateWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona Faataape
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny LeviHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Aidan Sezer
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami SauloInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Nick CotricReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Asu Kepaoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won their past seven games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have won only one of their past six games at GIO Stadium.
- Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana has scored 15 tries in 13 games v Wests Tigers.
- As a player, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall won 11 from 12 at GIO Stadium.
- The Raiders have not achieved back-to-back wins since Round 19 last year.
- Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has the chance to become only the seventh coach to notch 250 first-grade victories.
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Raiders
1st Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
