NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Tigers
The Raiders will be out to avenge their last start loss when they travel to Campbelltown to face the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
Round 14 saw the Raiders defeated 23-22 at the hands of the Penrith Panthers with a late Nathan Cleary field goal spoiling a Raiders victory.
The Tigers also suffered defeat in their clash on the weekend going down 24-16 to the red-hot Cronulla Sharks.
Canberra welcome back English international Josh Hodgson in the dummy half role with the hooker making his first appearance for the season which will see Siliva Havili move to the bench as a utility.
Joe Tapine also returns to the side after serving a two-match suspension and slots straight back into his role on the right edge forcing a reshuffle in the forward pack.
Charlie Gubb will miss the clash through suspension.
Jordan Rapana is out with a hamstring injury which sees Michael Oldfield replace him on the right wing.
For the Tigers, Tuimoala Lolohea misses out with Corey Thompson moving to fullback and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak coming onto the wing.
Last time: The Raiders and Tigers did battle way back in round 3 last season with Canberra making light work of the Tigers in a 46-6 victory.
The Tigers scored first before the Raiders replied with 46 unanswered points to grab their first win of the 2017 season.
Key Matchups
Blake Austin vs Josh Reynolds
Austin is talked about as one of the best running halves in the game but it was his passing game coming to the fore as he grabbed a try assist to go with two line-break assists against the Panthers last week.
Reynolds has only featured once this season in the starting side for the Tigers due to injury and will be out to impress with incumbent five-eighth Benji Marshall set to miss a period of time due to injury.
Two livewire halves with a key attacking instinct will be keen to showcase their talents and whoever does this efficiently will have a big impact on this one.
Jarrod Croker vs Esan Marsters
Croker has been as consistent as always in the centres as has scored six tries, makes his presence known in defence and to top it off has kicked 48 goals this season.
Marsters has been a revelation this season for the Tigers starting at centre in all of the 14 games this season and grabbing a try as well as 35 goals in the meantime.
These centres will be direct opponents on the field but it will be their goalkicking that may decide this one as ninth faces tenth in what is expected to be a close one.
Josh Papalii vs Matthew Eisenhuth
Papalii was enormous backing up from his State or Origin performance for Queensland with the lock making 36 tackles, six tackle breaks and a try assist last weekend.
Eisenhuth has been a rock in defence for the Tigers sitting in fifth for total tackles with 535 at an average of 38 per game and grabbing two tries on the attacking front.
Solid performers for their club's in different regards but expect these two to come together regularly on Sunday.
Quote of the Week:
"I'm really excited for the weekend. It's been a long road with some ups and downs but the boys have been really upbeat and positive and ready for the Tigers." – Josh Hodgson.
Head to Head: These clubs have faced off 33 times with the Tigers holding a slight advantage with 18 victories and the Raiders grabbing the spoils on 15 occasions.
