The Canberra Raiders have impressed fans at home with a 32-12 victory against the Wests Tigers on Saturday afternoon at GIO Stadium Canberra.
The Raiders have carried over their good form into round two after a powerful game showcasing their determination and solid defence.
A scramble for the first try of the game resulted in two penalties against the Tigers within the first five minutes. Raiders decide to take the two points as halfback Jamal Fogarty scores the penalty goal.
Seven minutes into the game, Danny Levi was first try-scorer of the match, followed shortly after by five-eighth Ethan Strange’s first try in the NRL. Fogarty successfully converted both tries bringing the score to 14-0 at 12 minutes.
Tigers recovered quickly with two back-to-back tries within ten minutes from rookie forward Samuela Fainu and powerful forward Apisai Koroisau. This also marked Fainu’s first try in the NRL.
Both tries converted successfully by Koroisau bringing the score to 14-12 at 28 minutes.
Quick thinking from Matt Timoko brought the ball back into the Raiders end of the field, which is soon after polished off with an extraordinary try from Jordan Rapana.
With less than three minutes to go in the first half, Sebastian Kris and Xavier Savage lean into an opening in the Tigers defence and score the final try of the first half. With an unsuccessful conversion, this brought the score for half time to 24-12.
Both teams came into the second half hungry for success as they struggle to get past each other’s solid defensive lines. Kris and Rapana are eventually taken off the field for HIA’s, replaced with Ata Mariota and Emre Guler.
Both teams remained stand-offish until a dangerous tackle by the Tigers provided Raiders with a second penalty kick, bringing the score to 26-12.
Zac Hosking showcased his determination as he finally made the break and scored the first and only try of the second half, followed by a successful conversion which brought the final score of the game to 32-12.
The Raiders will look to carry over this success into round three as they play the Warriors next Friday 22nd March at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand.
