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08 :: R23 Sun :: Raiders 38 Knights 18 @ Canberra

Round 23 Result :: Raiders v Knights


  • Total voters
    33
  • Poll closed .

Gaba

First Grade
Messages
8,197
If newcastle show respect , they will win by 30 , canberra's run of being showed disrespect by teams will be growing shorter, that will be canberra's only chance if the knights dont respect them
 

Rovelli

Bench
Messages
4,384
I can't see the Raiders dropping this, especially at home, with the way they have been playing. Short(er) turnaround for the Knights could play it's part. Raiders trained well on Sunday and scored 13 tries in practice.
 

Adsy

Juniors
Messages
2,054
Canberra are my favourite team to watch besides the Knights. Love the way they play the game.

Saying that hopefully they have an off day come Sunday and we jump them early like we have against Parra and the Titans.
 

Sleep

Juniors
Messages
2,377
I think the Raiders by ten plus. If it was in Newcastle I'd give them a chance but Canberra are just so good on home and are going to really charge towards the finals. Confidence wise they couldn't be looking any better after destroying the Panthers. Perfect way to bounce back from the loss to Brisbane.
 

gong_eagle

First Grade
Messages
7,655
Raiders v Knights Preview
NRL.com
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52418



Canberra Stadium
Sunday 2pm

WOW! What a blockbuster this shapes to be.

It is a match of critical importance for the play-off aspirations of both sides.

Can the Raiders blow the Knights off the face of the earth, just like they did to the Panthers?

Or will the Knights continue their climb up the ladder and consolidate a place in the top eight?

Both teams come into the game in form; the Raiders courtesy of the 74-12 hammering of Penrith are now in sixth position on the NRL ladder with 24 points and a differential of +72.

The Knights have now won three in a row, culminating in a successful demolition of the Gold Coast, and sit in eighth position on the ladder.

They also have 24 points but a slightly inferior differential at +57.

A win for either side virtually guarantees they’ll hold a spot in the top eight; a loss just as easily means an almost certain exit from the play-off zone.

With exciting attacking play on the menu of both sides, this is one game that deserves a full house.

For the Raiders, hooker Glen Buttriss is out which sees Alan Tongue move from lock to hooker, Joe Picker moves from second row to lock and Trevor Thurling takes a spot in the second row.

Josh Miller will partner Thurling, which pushes Marshall Chalk to the bench. Nigel Plum and Scott Logan have been added to a bench that currently has five players.

For Newcastle, Akuila Uate comes in on the wing with Cooper Vuna out. Chris Houston has been named to start, which sees Matt Hilder go to the bench, while Marvin Karawana makes way for Cameron Ciraldo.

Adam MacDougall is out a week after copping an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw in the game against the Titans on Monday.

Watch out Raiders: Newcastle half Jarrod Mullen is coming back into the form that saw him play for New South Wales last season.

The youngster is primed to take some responsibility away from Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley and while some say he has had a quiet season he does have 18 try assists to be ranked fifth in the NRL in the category.

Mullen also has 11 line-break assists and controls the Knights’ 65 per cent accurate kicking game which allows the side to make good yards and hold good field position.

The Raiders need to apply pressure to Mullen to disrupt the Knights’ offensive flow.

Watch out Knights: How good is Terry Campese playing?

The answer is: sensationally!

Last week in the annihilation of Penrith Campese notched up 36 points with four tries and 10 goals; he ran for 172 metres, had three line breaks, three offloads and three try assists and also broke eight tackles while making 15 tackles as well.

He is now ranked equal second in the NRL for line break assists with 16 and equal seventh in try assists with 16.

The Knights have their mark… but can they stop him?

Where it will be won: Scramble defence.

There is no doubt both of these sides will make plenty of breaks in this match so it will be the scrambling of either side that could prove the difference.

The Knights have made 57 try-saving tackles (ranked 4th in NRL) so far this year compared to the Raiders 29 (14th) so they have proven their ability to scramble when needed.

Considering the Raiders have 104 line breaks, the most in the NRL, it’s almost certain they’ll need to add to that stat if they are to win this game.

Obviously the better scenario is to stop the opportunities in the front line but neither side here plays the game that way.

These two teams play an exciting, heart-in-mouth style.

The Knights’ attack is pretty potent also, with 99 line breaks, but the Raiders have scored 10 more tries this year.

Both sides also love the offloads; the Raiders are equal first with 263 this year while the Knights are just one offload behind with 262.

It really looks set to be an exciting match.

The History: Played 29; Raiders 16, Knights 12, drawn 1.

The Knights might have won four of the past five between the clubs but traditionally they have struggled in the nation’s capital.

The Raiders hold an 11-2 advantage at Canberra Stadium (one draw). In the match earlier this season the Knights won 30-14 in Newcastle.

Conclusion: If you are in Canberra this Sunday, get to this game.

It doesn’t matter if you support the Raiders, the Knights… or the Woden Valley Rams… you should get along to what promises to be a heart-stopper.

The home ground advantage probably tips this game to the Raiders, especially since the Knights played Monday in Queensland.

But Brian Smith has had his side playing great football and a recovery session of fun at Wet ’n’ Wild might have refreshed the Knights sufficiently to fly into town and take the points.

Match officials: Referee – Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials – Gavin Reynolds & Steve Carrall; Video ref – Paul Simpkins.

Televised: Fox Sports 2 – Live 2.00pm.

* Statistics: NRL Stats.
 

Apey

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
28,284
Good non-biased review of the game :)

Just gets me more pumped for Sunday :fist:
 
Messages
4,007
I cant help but remember the last time we played the knights at home....:lol:

Both lineups were quite a bit different then to what they are now, this is gonna be an absolute cracker of a game.
 

Raider_69

Post Whore
Messages
61,174
Massive clash
I think the raiders will make the 8 regardless of a win or loss this week
but a win should see us secure 6th spot an a 2nd crack at semi finals footy
A loss, will put us back into the scrap in which we should provail to snare 7th or 8th, and go out as cannon fodder to the storm or eagles

As for the knights, lose here and i really cant see them making the 8. Particually if they lose badly which is always a chance of happening playing Canberra at Bruce, win and it lends serious credability to their dark horse stakes.

massive clash for two teams is great form
Im dreadfully pessimistic about games like this because IMO its a game Canberra are entitled to think they should win, but that fact and the copious amounts of positive press coming our way lends me to the belief this will be the game we should win but dont :(

I cant see too many points between them either way though
im tipping a cracking game
 

skeepe

Immortal
Messages
48,316
Wish I could be there to watch us demolish my most hated of all teams.

Raiders, unleash hell on the bastards.
 

mongoose

Coach
Messages
11,831
I don't know what to expect from this game, i'm still in shock from last week. Our forwards have been so dominant, even against the broncos they were good. Raiders by 7.
 

The Gambler

Juniors
Messages
2,316
Should be a good game IMO, maybe match of the round.

Canberra to win a tussle. Home ground advantage works wonders for them.
 
Messages
924
Going to this game, can't wait! Should be a cracker. It's very hard to tip but with a bit of luck I think we can pull this out of the bag.
 

(KW)

Juniors
Messages
274
massive game, I really think the raiders will either show up and win comfortably (circa 40-16), or have their pants pulled down, and lose by 12 or so

KW
 

Shorty

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
15,555
Stirring with the spoon again Shorts? :lol:
Haha.
Nah I'm pretty serious,I think the Raiders have become a pretty deadly team...they used to do these floggings all the time at home but they've won games much more consistently this year.

The Knights have every chance of winning as well but I just think at home the Raiders will be too good.
It will all depend on preparation - And I credit Neil Henry will have them back to the ground.
 

Serc

First Grade
Messages
6,902
Final line up for the Knights:

1. Gidley
2. Uate
3. Sau
4. Vuna
5. McManus
6. Karawana
7. Mullen
8. Tolar
9. Buderus
10. Royal
11. Simpson
12. Paterson
13. Houston
14. Cross
15. Fa’aoso
16. Wicks
17. Hilder

Numbers wrong of course but I'm pretty sure thats the positions they were all named in!
 

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