Nathan Smith previews the Friday night match-up between the Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders. Here’s what we have to look forward to…
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Tigers Vs Raiders
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday June 2nd, 8:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Alex Twal 17. Asu Kepaoa 18. Brent Naden 19. Aistasi James 20. Daine Laurie 21. Justin Matamua 22. Tallyn Da Silva
Raiders: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Nick Cotric 3. Albert Hopoate 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Pasami Saulo 11. Hudson Young 12. Corey Horsburgh 13. Joseph Tapine 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Matt Frawley 17. Ata Mariota 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Danny Levi 20. Harley Smith-Shields 21. Xavier Savage 22. Peter Hola
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Friday sees two teams experiencing their own versions of a resurgence come up against each other, with both looking to continue recent winning ways.
To elaborate, the home team, the Tigers, have come alive after losing the first eight rounds of the season. They kick-started their run with a shock win against the Panthers, and have since taken down the Dragons, and most recently put a 66-point score on the Cowboys. So, though their tally of three wins isn’t necessarily something to jump for, the small signs of what the future holds are offering some light for the long-suffering Tigers.
The Raiders have found the form that, though not as good, is close to what they were showing back in 2019. After a disappointing loss to the Sea Eagles a fortnight ago, they returned to form with a win against one of the form teams in the Rabbitohs.
The Tigers’ performance will hinge deeply on how Apisai Koroisau recovers from State of Origin. Without question, his signing has proven to be what most would have suspected; a masterclass. Even during their losing run, Koroisau was regularly one of the Tigers’ best. Presumably, he should be good to go, and leading them from the front.
The Raiders will have some of their stars, the likes of Jack Wighton and Josh Papali’i, unusually fresh for this time of year. In most years, they’d be representing their respective states, however, after having retired from those duties in 2023, they are now fully committed to the Raiders. They’ll be up for it, with a win against the Tigers putting them on a trajectory to fight for a top-four spot towards the year’s end.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Tigers 2, Raiders 8
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Raiders by 12.
Follow Nothing But Rugby League on Facebook
