The Raiders turned on the style with a 60-6 win against the West Tigers at GIO Stadium.
The Green Machine forward pack laid the foundations early in the match before Rapana and Leilua ran rampant, scoring six tries between them.
The Raiders were quick out of the blocks scoring in the fourth minute thanks to Elliot Whitehead. After receiving a penalty only ten meters out from the line, Hodgson passed the ball to the English international, who barged his way over the line.
Canberra’s forwards continued to run hard and Shannon Boyd reaped the rewards. In similar fashion to the first try, Hodgson’s pass from dummy half found the prop who crashed over the line.
The Tigers fought their way back into the match via Chris Lawrence. Halfback Luke Brook threw a short pass to the second rower who scored for the Tigers.
Jordan Rapana restored the lead for the Raiders when he scored on the right edge. Hodgson provided another assist with a smart pass out wide for the winger who scored in the corner to make the score 18-6.
The Raiders were dealt a blow five minutes from half time when Joe Tapine left the field with an ankle injury. Despite the setback, the Raiders scored another try before halftime. Hodgson bamboozled the Tigers defence with a run from dummy half before offloading to Leilua. With only one defender to beat, Leilua offloaded to the supporting Rapana who scored his second try of the match.
The second half started in the same vein as the first ended. Wighton placed a grubber kick into the in goal for Croker to latch onto and score. Only two minutes later Vaughan scored a four-pointer to make it 34-6.
Canberra continued their feast of tries when Hodgson’s attempted grubber ricocheted off a Tigers player, back into the hooker and into the in goal for Leilua to score.
Rapana scored again in the 60th minute of the match on the back of a set play. A relentless Raiders outfit kept the Tigers lodged in their own 20m for three sets before Baptiste passed the ball to Leilua who passed quickly to Rapana.
Aidan Sezer scored minutes later against a tiring Tigers outfit. Deep within their own half, the Raiders moved the ball to left edge for Lee who sprinted down the touchline. With just one defender to beat, Lee passed infield to Sezer who scored near the post. Croker’s successful conversion made the score 50-6.
A flick pass from Whitehead sent Rapana over for his fourth try before the winger turned provider with a dainty kick for Leilua to score.
The win ensures the Raiders stay firmly lodged inside the top eight.
Raiders 60 (Tries: Whitehead, Boyd, 4 Rapana, Croker, Vaughan, 2 Leilua, Sezer, Conversions: Croker 8/11) defeated Tigers (Tries: Lawrence Conversions: Rankin 1/1)
