After Mudgee played host to Manly and Canberra in round four, it's Wagga Wagga's turn to welcome the NRL road train to town this weekend when Canberra and Melbourne renew an intense rivalry that has produced some epic clashes in recent years.
The Storm took the honours in both games in 2021 but the Raiders have fond memories of two emotion-charged wins in enemy territory at AAMI Park in round three, 2020 and also the 2019 qualifying final.
Based on last weekend's form it's hard to see the Raiders troubling the Storm, who dismantled the Bulldogs 44-0 a day after the Green Machine stalled in a 25-6 loss to Manly.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen in devastating form and star signing Xavier Coates running for 201 metres, the Storm reminded us yet again of the potency they possess and their ability to tear apart any side that isn't on song in defence.
Match Highlights: Raiders v Storm
The Rundown
Team news
Raiders: A late change on game day with Hudson Young out and his place taken by Ryan Sutton in jersey No.19. Xavier Savage is 18th man.
Tom Starling will start at hooker.
Storm: The Storm are 1-17 with no late changes as Craig Bellamy goes with the same 17 that got the job done in style against the Bulldogs. Jayden Nikorima is 18th man.
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Storm is number 2 Nick Meaney
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Semi ValemeiCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Storm is number 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 19 Ryan Sutton2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Elliott WhiteheadLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Matt FrawleyInterchange for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre GulerInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Adam ElliottInterchange for Storm is number 16 Trent Loiero
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Storm is number 17 Tepai Moeroa
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Xavier SavageReplacement for Storm is number 21 Jayden Nikorima
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Cameron Munster v Jack Wighton: Two men with an uncanny ability to pick their team up and carry them home when the game is on the line. Both powerful runners with ball in hand, both capable of laying on a try for their outside men with a precision pass. Munster has formed a dynamic combination with the crafty and classy Jahrome Hughes while Wighton is shouldering much of the playmaking load as youngster Brad Schneider finds his way in the big time.
Stat attack
Ryan Papenhuyzen's 28-point haul against the Bulldogs is the second most ever in a game for the Storm. Matt Geyer holds the club record with 34 points courtesy of four tries and nine goals against Western Suburbs in 1999.
