The Toyota Forklift Raiders will look to repeat their round six triumph over the Broncos earlier this year as the two teams battle it out once again.
The game is set to host many milestones and commemorations as the Raiders faithful will pay tribute to Jarrod Croker and Jack Wighton in their final regular season home game at GIO Stadium Canberra.
The game will take place at 7:35pm Saturday as the Raiders vie for a spot in the finals with two rounds remaining.
In what will be Croker’s 150th game at GIO Stadium Canberra, the Green Machine will look to give a send-off he deserves as they take on second-placed Broncos.
History favours the Raiders in this clash, with the Raiders winning four of their past five encounters between the two teams.
Only one player in the Broncos current team has tasted victory at GIO Stadium Canberra, making it a tough road trip for the Broncos in recent years.
The Broncos, however, will be coming off a bye in Round 25 and look to build on their six-game winning streak having locked in a top four spot on the ladder.
Ricky Stuart has named an unchanged lineup from their win against the Bulldogs last weekend.
Nick Cotric, who has scored six tries in six games against the Broncos, remains on the wing with Rapana keeping his spot at fullback.
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has been ruled out of the game this weekend with a calf injury, as Jock Madden comes in at halfback.
Winger Corey Oates returns from a knee injury to play his 200th NRL game alongside Selwyn Cobbo on the right wing.
Match: Raiders v Broncos
Round 26 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 20 Jack WightonFullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
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Winger for Raiders is number 1 Jordan RapanaWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
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Centre for Raiders is number 21 Sebastian KrisCentre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick CotricWinger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt FrawleyFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Jock Madden
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
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Prop for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Broncos is number 19 Keenan Palasia
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
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Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Brendan Piakura
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe Hetherington
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata MariotaInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Corey Jensen
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Pasami SauloReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Jesse Arthars
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Last Time They Met
The Raiders were victorious against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in round six this year, winning 20-14.
Key Match-Ups
Matt Timoko v Kotoni Staggs
The young gun centres go head-to-head as they look to break the game open for their respective sides.
Timoko was instrumental in the Raiders’ victory against the Bulldogs, scoring two tries and recording two line breaks and nine tackle breaks.
The 23-year-old will need to bring this explosivity against a strong Broncos outfit and will be the key to giving the Raiders decent field position.
Timoko’s worthy opponent, Staggs, has proved his worth amongst the competition earning himself a spot in the NSW Blues team in recent years.
His tenacity to score and assist tries makes for a handful on the edge and is something the Raiders backline will have to pay close attention to.
Joseph Tapine v Payne Haas
It’s the battle of the raging bulls this week as Tapine and Haas lock horns in a decisive clash.
Tapine has excelled his game even further in the run into finals, proving a crucial player in the Raiders recent victories.
Tapine’s massive 28 receipts, 186 running metres and five tackle breaks against the Bulldogs allowed the Green Machine a plethora of attacking opportunities as they secured their biggest winning margin of the season.
Current Blues forward and centurion Payne Haas will look to give Tapine a run for his money heading into the all-important clash.
Haas notched up his 100th appearance in his last game against the Eels, averaging an incredible 172 running metres and 34 tackles per game.
Corey Horsburgh v Patrick Carrigan
The two Queensland representatives will face off against each other as they battle for control of the middle.
Corey Horsburgh is a proud QLD player after making his debut for the Maroons in game three of the 2023 State of Origin series after his impressive form at the start of the season.
Since then, Horsburgh has grown as a player on and off the field contributing to the Raiders continual surge on a finals-bound spot.
Broncos lock Pat Carrigan will look to steer his side to victory as the dynamic forward takes on his opposite number in Horsburgh.
Carrigan will need to step up in Reynolds absence in which he is well equipped to do so having captained the side in previous years.
Head to Head
The Broncos edge the head-to-head count against the Raiders having won 21 of their encounters to the Raiders 16, with a single draw between them.
