After a stunning 28 to 8 home win against Balmain last week, the WA Reds suffered a loss in their first road trip, going down to the Canberra Raiders 50 to 22.
The Raiders came off a loss the week before in a close game against the Western Suburbs and were always going to be a tough ask for the new West Australian SG Ball side.
The Reds scored the first try of the game through Daniel Westerduin, but when the Raiders settled they went on to control the first half going into the sheds with a 22 to 4 half time lead. The larger forward pack for Canberra were controlling the ruck and keeping pressure on the Reds. Their defense was constantly challenged.
It wasn’t till midway through the second half that the Reds were able to get back into the game. Tries in the second half came through Sundip Lal, Tom Lidden, Curtis Rona and Hemi Kani. Rona also converted one try for the game.
Coach Andrew Korn see’s the loss as a game we should of one.
“Our defense was a massive let down for the coaching staff, as we have worked very hard with the players on this, in particular in and around the ruck”.
“Canberra was obviously the dominant side for the majority of the game but we showed for at least 15 minutes we were the superior side”.
“We need to expand that 15 minute period of dominant ruck defense to 70 minutes, I am confident the players can do this against Cronulla.
Next week the Reds are on the road again travelling to Sydney where they will take on Cronulla at Erskineville Oval Sydney.
