The Toyota Forklift Raiders will look to bounce back from their loss last weekend as they take on the Wests Tigers on Sunday at 4:05 pm in consecutive home games at GIO Stadium Canberra.
The Raiders managed to hold on to fifth place on the NRL ladder despite their loss to the Newcastle Knights last weekend, and this Sunday they take on the Tigers who sit 16th on the ladder with five rounds remaining.
Discipline will be the key focus for the Green Machine heading into Sunday’s game, after errors and missed tackles ultimately cost the Raiders a way back into the contest.
The battle between the two teams has been tight in recent years with the Raiders having won all three of their past encounters, including a one-point victory earlier this season in round 14.
This weekend will be a chance for co-captain Elliott Whitehead to bring up his 100th NRL victory of his career, and one he will be relishing to achieve especially in front of the home crowd.
Coach Ricky Stuart has made a few changes to the line-up to face the Tigers, with Sebastian Kris available to play after facing a monetary fine for a Dangerous Contact charge.
Jarrod Croker has been ruled out to play this weekend with a hamstring injury forcing a switch up in the backline.
Jordan Rapana will play at fullback with Kris moving to the centres and Nick Cotric making his return to the wing.
Adrian Trevilyan will make his long-awaited return to the NRL this weekend after being named at 14 in the utility position alongside Pasami Saulo, Emre Guler and Ata Mariota to offer some strike power off the bench.
The Wests Tigers lose Shawn Blore and Stefano Utoikamanu who both sustained a head knock against the Rabbitohs last weekend.
The forwards will be replaced by Alex Twal, who starts the game at prop, as well as Justin Matamua, Aitasi James and Asu Kepaoa all named on the bench.
Match: Raiders v Wests Tigers
Round 23 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan RapanaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert HopoateWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian KrisCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Junior Tupou
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick CotricWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Alex Twal
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Adrian TrevilyanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Justin Matamua
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Aitasi James
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata MariotaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Alex Seyfarth
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Michael AsomuaReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Last time they met
The Raiders edged out a one-point victory against the Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in round 14 this season.
Key Match-Ups
Albert Hopoate v David Nofoaluma
It is the battle of the young and the old on the wings this weekend as Nofoaluma and Hopoate battle it out to give their respective sides some attacking and defensive prowess.
In Hopoate’s first full season for the Raiders this year, his intent to find the line makes him a threat every time he gets the ball.
Hopoate has scored eight tries this season, including a hat-trick against the Rabbitohs in round 13 to gift the Raiders the win.
As for his opposite number, Nofoaluma has pronounced himself as an experienced winger for more than 10 years in the NRL.
Nofoaluma is the Tigers' highest try-scorer and one the Raiders' defence will need to keep a close watch on if they are to keep him at bay.
Joseph Tapine v David Klemmer
The two powerhouses of Klemmer and Tapine go toe-to-toe this weekend as they both try to dominate the middle of the field.
Klemmer’s defensive work rate is one to be respected, with a 99.2% tackle efficiency this season along with his 18 offloads and 140 average running metres.
As opposed to the Green Machine’s Tapine, his ability to break tackles poses a danger for offloads when he pleases.
Tapine averages over 161 running metres with 41 tackle breaks to his name heading into this weekend’s game.
Elliott Whitehead v John Bateman
Two fierce Englishmen will clash in Sunday’s game as they both look to dictate their side’s performance.
Bateman, who was a former Raider during the 2019/2020 seasons including making the grand final in 2019, offers a sporadic style of play who always vies for the gaps in the defensive line, whilst making tackles aplenty without the ball.
Whitehead has been inspirational for his side as captain, leading the team to an impressive win record this season, including eight wins from ten games during the season.
His leadership and grit to fight for his side is representative of the team’s willingness to secure those closely fought wins this season.
Head-to-Head
The Raiders and Tigers have played 41 games together since 1998, in which the Raiders were victors on 22 occasions.
