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Just when you thought Brisbane's season couldn't get any worse it has – coach Anthony Seibold and powerhouse back-rower Tevita Pangai jnr are out of action due to COVID breaches.

Pangai broke the regulations by attending the opening of a barber shop on Saturday while Seibold had to attend to a "serious family matter" in Sydney on Friday night.

When added to just one win since the resumption of the competition the trip to Canberra could not be any tougher.

The Raiders head into the match having won three of their past five to remain firmly in the top eight.

The Rundown

Team news

Raiders: A match-day change at lock for Ricky Stuart with Ryan Sutton coming into the starting side and Hudson Young dropping back to the bench. Matt Frawley and Harley Smith-Shields drop out of the squad.

Hooker Siliva Havili has been cleared to play despite a triceps strain. Reserve utility back Michael Oldfield is out after breaking his thumb at training this week, with surgery putting him out for 6-7 weeks. 

The Raiders have won four of their past five games at GIO Stadium.

Sam Williams and Kai O'Donnell were the two players left out 24 hours from kick-off.

Broncos: Reserves Ethan Bullemor and Jordan Kahu  were the final cuts from Brisbane's match-day squad. Matt Lodge (leg fracture), Xavier Coates (leg) and Issac Luke were all left out 24 hours before kick-off. Jesse Arthars (No.21) has been named to start on the wing. 

With Tevita Pangai jnr under a COVID hold, Ben Te'o comes into the starting side and 22-year-old Jordan Riki has been named to make his NRL debut from the bench.

Cory Paix joins the bench for his seventh game of the season. The Broncos have won six of their past seven games against the Raiders.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Richard Kennar
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
    Winger for Broncos is number 21 Jesse Arthars
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Brodie Croft
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
    Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Siliva Havili
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui
    Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Ben Te'o
  • Lock for Raiders is number 16 Ryan Sutton
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Hudson Young
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Cory Paix
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Jordan Riki
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Joseph Tapine
    Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
    Interchange for Broncos is number 20 Rhys Kennedy

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram

Last updated:

Key match-up

Payne Haas v Josh Papalii: Haas hasn't been attracting the rave reviews he did in 2019, but he remains one of the hardest-working props in the NRL. He is running second in the competition for post-contact metres.

Papalii's continued improvement in recent years has him pushing for the mantle of best front-rower in the NRL.

Stat Attack

Both of these sides could do with improvement in the discipline department. The Broncos (87) have conceded more penalties than any other side over the opening 13 rounds and the Raiders (75) are also in the top five of that category.

Acknowledgement of Country

Canberra Raiders respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.