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The Canberra Raiders season is all on the line this Thursday night when they take on the Sydney Roosters at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.

The Raiders walked away with an impressive 28-16 win over the New Zealand Warriors last weekend, through some individual brilliance from man-of-the-match Jordan Rapana to keep the green-machine’s finals hopes alive.

The Roosters were on the receiving end of a 54-12 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs last Friday night, who will be eager to turn that result around in Thursday’s blockbuster.

The Raiders welcome back some strike power in the backline with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad set to start at fullback for the first time since round five.

Last Time They Met

The Roosters defeated the Raiders 44-16 in the NRL Indigenous round back in round 12 of this season.

Rapana talks new deal, form and Raiders' finals push

Key Matchups

Josh Papalii v Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Two of the best front-rowers in the competition will meet on Thursday night – this time with the stakes a little higher with both sides looking to cement their position in the top eight.

Josh Papalii’s work rate has increased over the past month pumping out some of his biggest minutes all season, all while averaging 13 hit-ups and 35 tackles.

Waerea-Hargreaves has displayed one of his best seasons to date, leading his injury-riddled forward pack around to play for a top four spot this Thursday night.

No doubt this pair will lead from the front and leave everything on the park when they match-up this Thursday night.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad v James Tedesco

Charnze finds himself in the number one jumper for the first time since round five after coming off the interchange-bench the last couple of weeks since returning from a neck injury.

Although, Nicoll-Klokstad will have his work cut out for himself this weekend when he faces one of the game’s best in James Tedesco.

The Raiders attack will show more creativity and structure this Thursday with Charnze inserted in the starting line-up and interim fullback Jordan Rapana returning to his beloved right wing.

Tedesco will be keen to enprint his hands on the contest after suffering a heavy defeat last weekend against Souths and will be looking to carry some form into the finals series.

Keep a close-eye on these two stars, especially in the middle of the field where both players like to lurk around the play-the-ball and can strike at any given moment.

Jack Wighton v Drew Hutchinson

Both big bodied five-eighths, Wighton and Hutchinson will look to control their left-side of the field and unleash their strike power on this contest.

Wighton was back at his best last week after having a hand in almost of all of the Raiders points last weekend.

Hutchinson, who has shown promise throughout his 2021 campaign, has stood in as the Roosters starting five-eighth for the early injury to Luke Keary and done a brilliant job.

These two will look to inflict their energy and running ability in this contest and can create opportunities for their respected sides.

Head to Head

The Raiders and Roosters have faced-off 41 times, with an edge to the tri-colours taking out 27 wins to Canberra’s 14.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Harley Smith-Shields
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
  • Centre for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Adam Keighran
  • Winger for Raiders is number 19 Semi Valemei
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Matt Ikuvalu
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Matt Frawley
    Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Lachlan Lam

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Iosia Soliola
    Lock for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sam Walker
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan Sutton
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Ben Marschke
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Tuku Hau Tapuha
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Roosters is number 26 Naufahu Whyte

Reserves

  • Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Elijah Anderson
    Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Brad Abbey

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

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.