Canberra Raiders Cup 2021: Round Ten Preview

After the representative round last weekend, the Canberra Raiders Cup returns with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos hosting the Tuggeranong Bushrangers in this week’s Match of the Round.

Match of the Round: Queanbeyan Kangaroos v Tuggeranong Bushrangers, 3pm Saturday 3rd July at Seears Workwear Oval.

The Queanbeyan Roos will look to make it three in a row in front of their home crowd when they take on the Tuggeranong Bushrangers

The Roos have piled on an incredible 19 tries in their last two outings, with their attack in fine form. 

The Bushrangers on the other hand will look to steal a much-needed win to stay in touch of the top four of the competitive ladder, where only four points differs between third and seventh place.

Kangaroos halfback Thomas Casey spoke about what’s behind their recent form and their preparations for this Saturday’s match of the round.

“I think our defence was a big focus and our attack just comes naturally. We’ve got fast boys at the back and it’s just easy to play off them,” Casey said.

“They got one up on us last time we played them so we’re looking to get one back this week so hopefully we can continue that.”

Tuggeranong Bushrangers outside back Michael Brophy also spoke about this weekend’s game and what his side need to do to get the two competition points.

“We did get a win over them (in round one) so the boys can take confidence in that, but we know that it’s a completely different Roos side who’ve got a lot of momentum at the moment,” Brophy said.

“I think we just need to focus on ourselves. If we do what we need to do right our results will come. The games that we’ve won this year, we didn’t worry about our opposition. We just did ‘us’ and got the results.”

Woden Valley Rams v Gungahlin Bulls, 2pm Saturday 3rd July at Phillip Oval.

The Rams will host one of the top sides of the competition in Gungahlin, hoping they can snap their losing streak in-front of their home crowd.

The Rams have had some tight defeats in past weeks and it will take an 80-minute performance to spark a win over the Bulls.

Gungahlin, who have only lost one game all season, will be refreshed after the representative round and ready to fire towards clinching the minor premiership.

Bulls five-eighth Tre Holten-Williams will also have one eye on the Best and Fairest award as he currently sits one point behind West Belconnen back-rower Joshua Ayers on 12 points.

West Belconnen Warriors v Goulburn City Bulldogs, 3pm Saturday 3rd July at Raiders Belconnen.

The Warriors will look to make it back-to-back wins at home after taking out the Belconnen derby 24-18 last weekend over the Belconnen United Sharks.

The Warriors demonstrated great effort last weekend to come-back in the second half and record victory. 

The Bulldogs have been flying under the radar and they will travel away this weekend attempting to make it four wins in a row.

It was a rollercoaster start to the season for Goulburn, but they have found some consistent form at the right time.

It’s a big match for both sides, as a loss could put either side on the back-foot heading into finals football.

Belconnen United Sharks v Queanbeyan Blues, 3pm Saturday 3rd July at NSWRL HQ Bruce.

The Sharks will look to bounce-back after last weekend’s disappointing loss in the Belconnen derby at Raiders Belconnen.

They will also be out for revenge after their round one 52-12 loss against the Blues at Seiffert Oval.

The Blues have steadied after their fast start to the season but will look to make it two from two against the Belconnen side this weekend and stay within the top two on the competition ladder.

Blues backrower Joshua Baker will be the dangerman for Queanbeyan, who currently leads his s on the Best and Fairest award leaderboard on 10 points.