The Canberra Raiders NRLW team return home this weekend for an exciting clash against the Parramatta Eels on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium Canberra.
In an impressive 38-34 comeback victory last weekend, the Green Machine secured their second win of the season defeating the St George Illawarra Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, and with the return to GIO an opportunity to build on the momentum.
Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels' charge to the finals continued, after securing a strong ten point victory over fellow top four contenders, the Gold Coast Titans.
Match: Raiders v Eels
Round 8 -
home Team
Raiders
8th Position
away Team
Eels
5th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Talking Points
- The Raiders forward stocks are boosted this weekend with the return of English international Hollie-Mae Dodd and co-captain Simaima Taufa from suspension and concussion protocols respectively.
- Chanté Temara returns to hooker after shuffling to lock last week, with Emma Barnes and Felice Quinlan returning to the interchange bench.
- Mackenzie Wiki is stated to return in the centre position, whilst Kerehitina Matua will miss the remainder of the season after being suspended in the win against the Dragons.
- Parramatta Eels coach Steve Georgallis has named an unchanged lineup this weekend after the side's impressive win against the Titans last week.
- The Canberra Raiders have suffered defeat in their last five games at GIO Stadium Canberra, whilst the Eels are yet to win at the venue in two attempts.
- Raiders flyer Madison Bartlett has impressed this season scoring seven tries in as many games, currently sitting second in the NRLW.
Last Time They Met
In Round 5 last year, the Canberra Raiders defeated the Parramatta 28-22 at GIO Stadium Canberra.
Key Matchups
Zahara Temara vs Cassey Tohi-Hiku
The battle between the five-eighths will be an exciting one for fans, with the two players having the ability to steer their side around the park and break the game open.
Zahara Temara has been an instrumental figure in the Canberra Raiders NRLW history, transitioning to the Nation’s Capital last year after five seasons with the Sydney Roosters.
The inaugural co-captain has appeared in all seven of the Raiders games this year, with her ability to set up her teammates a clear part of her game, assisting three tries and five line breaks.
Temara also has the ability to hit the scoreboard herself, scoring two tries and booting 21 goals in the 2024 season which currently sees her sit second in the NRLW for points with 50.
Cassey Tohi-Hiku has been instrumental for coach Steve Georgallis this season with the crafty playmaker yet to miss a game.
In her third season of NRLW after debuting in 2022, the young five eighth has enjoyed a breakout year with her running game a key feature of the Eels attack, with 16 tackle breaks, three line breaks, a try and 98 average running metres a game.
The ability of the opposition five-eighths will be causing the opposition coach headaches, whilst the respective defences will need to be wary of the playmaking of Temara and running game of Tohi-Hiku.
Head to Head
This will be the second matchup in NRLW history between the two sides, the Canberra Raiders securing the only victory on offer.
