NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Dragons

Author: Jack Lenord
Timestamp: Thu 13 Apr 2023, 09:19 AM

The Toyota Forklift Raiders will be taking on the St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday at GIO Stadium Canberra as they look to maintain their strong form from last week.

The Green Machine will be hoping to lock in back-to-back wins after defeating the top of the table Broncos side last week 20-14 at Suncorp Stadium.

Although the Dragons currently sit four positions above the Raiders, Canberra’s outfit will be confident heading into Sunday’s clash after last week’s dominant performance where they made a statement to the rest of the league.

It is worth noting that St George have lost to both the Sharks and the Broncos this season, with the Raiders having defeated both these sides earlier this season.

Unfortunately for Canberra Jordan Rapana will be sidelined for round seven after suffering a head knock against the Broncos. Nick Cotric returns from a hamstring injury this week and will start on the wing.

The experienced Jack Wighton is back from suspension and will partner Jamal Fogarty in the halves. The last time Wighton and Fogarty played together the Raiders defeated the Sharks at home.

Joe Tapine also makes a return this week in the front row after missing the game against Brisbane to support his wife through the birth of their first child.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Sunday 16 Apr

Full Time

Raiders

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Albert Hopoate

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau Moga
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Zane Musgrove
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford

Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Moses Mbye
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Dragons is number 13 Jack Bird
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Dragons is number 15 Jack De Belin

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera

Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Harley Smith-Shields

Replacement for Dragons is number 21 Jaiyden Hunt

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:07 PM

Last Time They Met

Their last encounter was in round 22 last season, where the Raiders defeated the Dragons 24-22 at GIO Stadium Canberra.

Key Match-ups

Jack Wighton v Ben Hunt

All eyes will be on Wighton and Hunt as two of the competition's best halves battle it out to see who can control the game on Sunday. Both Wighton and Hunt will play a key role in their side's success on Sunday.

Wighton won the Dally M medal in 2020 and has continued to prove his worth across the park since receiving the award.

Wighton has the ability to break the game open and provide for his side in both attack and defence with his accurate kicking game, quick hands, and strong kick chasing.

The Raiders five-eighth will be hard to stop for the Dragons after having scored four tries in five appearances in 2023, while still putting in the work in defence with an 82.7% tackle efficiency.

Hunt is also a decorated half having represented Queensland and Australia throughout his career.

The Dragons' captain will look to lead his side to victory and break down the Canberra defence through his creative plays and constant goal-line kick pressure.

Hunt has also scored four tries in five appearances in 2023, with his kicking game being a strong point having forced seven drop outs and averaging 306.2 kicking metres this season.

On Sunday night these two star players will look to take control of the game as they battle it out to lead their side to victory.

Josh Papalii v Blake Lawrie

Both Papalii and Lawrie are absolute workhorses that will look to break through their opposition’s defence, and this Sunday will be no different when the two powerhouses collide at GIO.

Papalii has proven himself as one of the competition's best front rowers after representing Queensland, Australia, and Samoa throughout his career, and he continues to perform week after week with the Raiders.

The Raiders enforcer will be one to watch with his bone rattling tackles and strong runs having the ability to break down any side in his way.

Papalii has shown his importance in both attack and defence already this season after having 127.1 post contact metres and a 97.7% tackle efficiency.

Blake Lawrie has been Mr Reliable for the Red V this season both with and without the ball in hand.

The Dragons front rower will be one to look out for in this clash, with the starting prop scoring two tries this season and averaging 127 running metres.

This matchup will be nothing short of entertaining as the two forwards charge into each other at GIO Stadium Canberra on Sunday.

Zac Woolford v Jacob Liddle

Woolford and Liddle are two of the competition's best up and coming hookers who have proven why they deserve a spot in their side's starting line-up. The two will face-off on Sunday and battle it out to prove who is the best rookie on the paddock.

Woolford has replaced the injured Danny Levi as the Raiders starting hooker and has cemented his spot in the starting roster for the Raiders.

Woolford is dangerous around the ruck and can break the game open.

The Raiders rookie is also a rock in defence with a 94.2% tackle efficiency and will not back down from any challenges thrown his way.

Liddle has finally found his spot in a side’s starting 17 after struggling to break through at the Tigers.

Liddle has well and truly taken this opportunity with two hands and is having a breakout season in 2023.

The Dragons hooker has scored two tries this season proving his ability around the ruck with his 92.9% tackle efficiency proving his worth in defence.

These two rookies will be important to lookout for as they go head-to-head and try to break the game open with their speed around the ruck as they look to prove they belong in the NRL.