For vastly different reasons the Warriors and Raiders have so far both gone against the predictions most placed on them through the pre-season.
Tipped to contend for a spot in the top four again this campaign, the Warriors are instead one of four teams who are winless through the opening fortnight, after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the dying seconds against the Storm last week.
The Raiders on the other hand were overwhelmingly unfancied leading into Round 1 but have been among the best teams to start the year with commanding wins over the Knights and Wests Tigers.
Aside from the emotional scars associated with last Saturday’s loss in Melbourne, the Warriors didn’t appear to suffer any new injuries, while hooker Wayde Egan will be a chance of returning from an elbow injury against the Raiders too.
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Canberra will be without Seb Kris after he suffered a concussion in Round 2, while Jordan Rapana was also sent for a head injury assessment after a late head knock.
Friday night’s Multicultural Round clash at Apollo Stadium will be the ninth time the Warriors have played a competition game in Christchurch but the first time they’ll do so as the home side.
Last year the Warriors won both clashes against the Raiders, while across 25 matches in New Zealand – which span across five different venues – Canberra have 10 wins, 14 losses and a draw.
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Team News
Warriors: Hooker Wayde Egan has been ruled out after succumbing to an elbow injury which sidelined him in Round 2. Freddy Lussick moves to No. 9 while Chanel Harris-Tavita comes into the 17. Dylan Walker dropped out on Thursday due to an ankle injury with Jazz Tevaga replacing him on the bench.
Raiders: The visitors are 1-17 with no late changes. Captain Elliott Whitehead has overcome a groin injury and will play his first game of the season. That bumps Zac Hosking back to the bench and Ata Mariota out of the 17. The loss of Seb Kris (concussion) means Nick Cotric earns a recall after missing out on a spot in Round 2.
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Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won three of their past four games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders will play in Christchurch for the first time.
- The Warriors have won only three of eight games played in Christchurch.
- Ricky Stuart will coach his 250th game for the Raiders.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 24 tries in his past 18 NRL games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.