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NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Broncos

The Canberra Raiders will look to get their season back on track as they host the Brisbane Broncos at GIO Stadium this Saturday at 7:45pm.

The Raiders will feel refreshed after a much-needed bye round last weekend, to re-group and plan towards this Saturday’s important contest against the Broncos.

Brisbane will also look to steal a win over Canberra after they suffered a 54-24 defeat over the St George Illawarra Dragons last Friday night.

The Raiders will welcome back fan-favorite front-rower Josh Papalii, who served a three-match suspension for a high tackle against the Bulldogs in round ten. Papalii will bring experience and energy back to the green machine at the perfect time to turn the Raiders season around.

Papalii ready for Broncos match and Origin prediction

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Bailey Simonsson
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Herbie Farnworth
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Semi Valemei
    Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian Kris
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Dale Copley
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Jesse Arthars
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
    Winger for Broncos is number 18 Tesi Niu
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Karmichael Hunt
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam Williams
    Halfback for Broncos is number 22 Tyson Gamble

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
    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 Corey Harawira-Naera
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Alex Glenn
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
  • Lock for Raiders is number 16 Iosia Soliola
    Lock for Broncos is number 15 John Asiata

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton
    Interchange for Broncos is number 13 Thomas Flegler
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Kobe Hetherington
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Teui Robati
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Joseph Tapine
    Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Cory Paix

Reserves

  • Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Elijah Anderson
    Reserve for Broncos is number 16 Keenan Palasia

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Last Time They Met

The Raiders recorded a 36-8 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in round 14 of the 2020 season at GIO Stadium.

Match Highlights: Raiders v Broncos

Key Matchups

Josh Papalii v Matthew Lodge

Josh Papalii will be well-rested and ready to go this Saturday night where he matches up against workhorse front-rower Matthew Lodge.

Papalii will look to take charge of the Raider’s forward pack when he takes the field this weekend with some early aggression to win the first 20 minutes.

Papalii will also be playing with a chip on his shoulder after missing the last three games to suspension, including availability for Queensland in Wednesday night’s Origin opener in Townsville.

Matthew Lodge led his team in run metres last week against the Dragons, with 20 carries for 150 metres in the middle of the field.

Lodge will look to carry his form into this weekend’s contest, where he matches up against Papalii who attempts to match his physicality in the ruck.

Sam Williams v Albert Kelly

With 97 NRL appearances up his sleeve, Sam Williams will play a major role in the Raiders success on the weekend.

Williams has shown nothing but class in his return to the NRL in the last few rounds, with his leadership contributing greatly to the Raiders playing group.

Starting the season in NSW Cup, Williams showed his ability to dominant the game, scoring two tries in his last appearance against the Rabbitohs. If Williams takes control on the weekend, it will go a long way in ensuring the Raiders get the two points.

Williams determined to repay fans faith

Williams will go head-to-head with another experienced halfback Albert Kelly who made his return to the NRL in round 11 after seven years in the Super League.

With both halfbacks trying to establish their respected roles, Saturday’s game is expected to be an exciting battle of two intelligent halfbacks.

Tom Starling v Jake Turpin

Raider’s hooker Tom Starling will look to carry his form into this weekend’s clash against the Broncos where he faces experienced dummy-half Jake Turpin.

Starling will look to take advantage of a Broncos side who have leaked the most points in the competition so far. Starling loves to get out from dummy-half and thrives off his running game, especially late in the game when forwards are fatigued and play is broken.

Turpin will have his hands full however, he is one of the best defensive hookers in the competition, averaging 40 made tackles a game.

Turpin will look to win the ruck early around his large Brisbane forward pack, where he can showcase his creativity and ball-playing ability late in the game.

Watch out for both number nine’s as they can break open this game at any time for their team.

Head to Head

The Raiders and Broncos have faced off 44 times with the Broncos taking 20 wins to the Raider’s 14. The Raiders will attempt to defy history and bounce back with a win in front of their home fans at GIO Stadium this Saturday.

Throwback Thursday: Raiders run riot over Broncos

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.