The Toyota Forklift Raiders will take on the New Zealand Warriors this Friday at GIO Stadium Canberra in front of what will be a massive crowd for Jarrod Croker’s 300th game.
The Raiders are coming off the back of an intense one-point win against the Tigers in last week’s Round 14 game.
This game will be a big one for the Raiders, who will be looking to win for their captain’s 300th milestone game in style.
The side will have a few major inclusions on Friday as Elliot Whitehead comes back into the team as well as Sebastian Kris back in at fullback.
The Raiders are currently sitting in sixth position on the ladder with the Warriors just one win behind them sitting in seventh.
The Warriors defeated the Dolphins in a 30-8 win in their game last week.
They had almost equal possession to their opponents in the Dolphins but still managed to pile points on throughout the game.
The Warriors have the one inclusion of debutant Ali Leiataua in their side to go up against the NRL veteran Jarrod Croker.
This will also be a big match for former Raider Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as he comes up against the Raiders for the first time since his departure last season.
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 15 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian KrisFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert HopoateWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Bayley Sironen
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Nick CotricInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Mitchell Barnett
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami SauloInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Matt FrawleyReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Last Time They Met
The last time the two clubs met was in round 19 of last season where Raiders defeated the Warriors in a 26-14 win.
Key Matchups
Jarrod Croker v Ali Leiataua
The biggest match-up of the game will be between these two as Croker will be looking to impress and make his 300th game a very memorable one.
Croker’s career has consistently been about putting points on the board for his club having 2316 points next to his name, which is the most points in the Raiders club overall and third in the NRL of all-time point scorers.
He has scored 135 career tries and two tries this season and he will be looking to add to that tally come Friday.
Croker has had an amazing season after coming back to the first-grade side in round six, with the team has only lost one game since his inclusion in the side.
Having debuted in 2009 Croker holds the key when it comes to experience in the game as his opponent in the game this weekend is making his NRL debut at the age of 20.
The young centre Leiataua is coming into a big game up against one of the greatest of all time but has a great track record in his NSW Cup games this season.
He has scored nine tries in 13 game appearances and averaging 136 running meters this season.
This battle may never be seen again two milestone games for these individuals will be one to watch and one you won’t want to miss.
Jamal Fogarty v Shaun Johnson
Jamal Fogarty had one of his best games so far this season last weekend against the Tigers and will be a force to be reckoned with come Friday.
He scored two tries and kicked all four goals as well as a try assist just in the one game.
Fogarty has had an amazing season so far showcasing all of his talent helping the Raiders work their way up the ladder.
He will be a dynamic force in the halves again this weekend hoping to continue his amazing form.
Shaun Johnson has also had an amazing season playing 13 games this season scoring four tries as well as 11 try assists next to his name.
The Warriors veteran is one of the team’s most reliable men in the team in attack.
Shaun Johnson has a style unlike any other and holds himself with confidence in all areas of his attack highlighting that this season.
This will be an epic battle of the halves come Friday.
Corey Horsburgh v Tohu Harris
Horsburgh will be looking to further his audition tapes for the Queensland side in this week’s clash as he becomes closer to the call-up from Queensland coach Billy Slater.
He has played some very impressive football this year showing why he should be picked in the Queensland side.
Horsburgh’s efforts keep improving each week and his confidence continues to rise in all areas.
Not only has Big Red been good in defence this season but he also has three tries showing off his ability to break the line in times of need.
He will have a tough battle coming up against Tohu Harris who is known for his hard hitting no mercy ways.
The Warriors captain has a 95.3% tackle efficiency and a running average running meters of 129.
Horsburgh v Harris will be one everyone will be talking about come Friday night with hard hits bound to be shaking the crowd.
Head to Head
The Raiders have won 23 out of 44 games played against the Warriors.
