Chris Rooney previews the Raiders vs Warriors match at GIO Stadium…… This is what we have to look forward to.
Embed from Getty ImagesTEAM NEWS
Venue: GIO Stadium, Date: 27/3, Time: 3pm (local)
Raiders Team
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Bailey Simonsson
- Jarrod Croker
- Curtis Scott
- Jordan Rapana
- Jack Wighton
- George Williams
- Josh Papalii
- Josh Hodgson
- Dunamis Lui
- Hudson Young
- Elliott Whitehead
- Joseph Tapine
- Siliva Havili
- Ryan Sutton
- Iosia Soliola
- Ryan James
- Sam Williams
- Tom Starling
- Caleb Aekins
- Sebastian Kris
Team Changes
IN: Caleb Aekins, Jarrod Croker, Sam Williams, Tom Starling
OUT: n/a
Warriors Team
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
- David Fusitu’a
- Adam Pompey
- Peta Hiku
- Ken Maumalo
- Kodi Nikorima
- Sean O’Sullivan
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Wayde Egan
- Bunty Afoa
- Eliesa Katoa
- Bayley Sironen
- Tohu Harris
- Jazz Tevaga
- Ben Murdoch-Masila
- Leeson Ah Mau
- Jack Murchie
- Tom Ale
- Marcelo Montoya
- Paul Turner
- Kane Evans
Team Changes
IN: Jack Murchie, Kane Evans, Marcelo Montoya, Paul Turner, Sean O’Sullivan, Tom Ale
OUT: Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Referee: Matt Cecchin
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Raiders
Embed from Getty ImagesThere’s no surprise that the Raiders have started the season 2-0, having faced the Tigers and the Sharks. The Raiders struggled offensively against a resilient Sharks team, however they now have so much class across the park to be able to win games defensively and ugly. They are a tough team in defence now and will no doubt be looking to make a statement this Saturday.
Warriors
Embed from Getty ImagesA good start for the Warriors coming into this season: they defeated the Titans in round one and only narrowly lost to the Knights last week. This will be an excellent test for the Warriors to compete against a premiership heavyweight in the Raiders. They will be without their halfback, Chanel Harris-Tavita, for the next 12 weeks and Sean O’Sullivan will step into the halfback position; no doubt Kodi Nikorima will have more pressure to control and manage the game.
PREVIEW
It’s a great match to start Super Saturday this week, as the Raiders will be looking to improve their attack in quick fashion, while the Warriors will need to bring their best defensive game plan to match the Raiders. The Warriors halves will need to step up and so will Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. He has had a pretty quiet start to the season and will need to be at his absolute best for his Warriors to have any chance against the Raiders. The Raiders have one the best forward packs in the competition and their spine is only getting better with Josh Hodgson back.
Also, Hudson Young deserves a mention. He has been absolutely brilliant to start the season for the Raiders. He showed his potential late last season after a controversial start to his career, but is showing his maturity and is continuing to prove an absolute force in the back row. I will say this now, Young will be one of the best back rowers in the competition this year and hopefully will be rewarded for his efforts.
Embed from Getty ImagesKEY STAT
Head-to-head: both sides have faced each other 40 times, with the Raiders winning 21 times. The previous two meetings have seen the Raiders winning both games, but not in convincing fashion.
PREDICTION
Ricky will have this squad firing for a better performance than last week and I fear that the Warriors don’t have enough class to be able to compete against them for the entire 80 minutes. No doubt the Warriors will attempt to start strong, and attempt to get on the board first to gain confidence, but I can’t see nothing but a strong Raiders win at home with attack being the key focal point.
Raiders by 13+.
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