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Match Preview

Raiders v Warriors: Croker back for 300th; Leiataua to debut

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pan66.com
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As they celebrate skipper Jarrod Croker's 300th NRL game in Round 15 the Raiders will be hunting a third-straight win, taking on a Warriors side who were big winners last week. 

Having rested Croker from last week's 20-19 victory over the Wests Tigers, Canberra have set the scene for an emotional night on Friday as they seek to make it seven wins from their past eight games and climb further towards a spot in the top four. 

The Warriors got back to winning ways with a second-half scoring blitz which saw them to a comfortable 30-8 win over the Dolphins, with veteran No.7 Shaun Johnson stealing the show.

In their last four meetings both sides have enjoyed two wins each, while the Raiders have a slight advantage in the overall head-to-head record, with 26 wins from 48 games. 

At GIO Stadium the Warriors have won three times in their last four visits, a far cry from their record through the late 1990s and 2000s which saw them leave the venue with just one win in 11 games at one stage. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Raiders v Warriors

Team News

Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes.  Jarrod Croker returns at centre for his 300th NRL game so Albert Hopoate goes back to the wing and Nick Cotric goes to the bench. Seb Kris (knee) is also back on deck in the No.1 jersey so Harley Smith-Shields makes way. Skipper Elliott Whitehead returns from a two-game suspension in the second row so Corey Horsburgh goes to lock, Joe Tapine to prop and Pasami Saulo to the bench. 

Warriors: The Warriors are 1-17 with no game day changes. Ali Leiataua will make his NRL debut in the centres replacing Rocco Berry (head knock) in the only change to the side that downed the Dolphins. Leiataua has scored nine tries in 13 games in NSW Cup this season. Freddy Lussick was initially named among the reserves but dropped out of the side on Thursday night. Taine Tuaupiki is the 18th Man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin  Watene-Zelezniak 
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin  Fonua-Blake
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Bayley Sironen
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Nick Cotric
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Mitchell Barnett
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale

Reserves

  • Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Matt Frawley
    Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored doubles in three of his seven games in 2023. 
  • The Raiders are among the NRL's most prolific offloaders this season, averaging 9.2 per game, almost three more than the Warriors. 
  • This week will be the 23rd time Jarrod Croker has faced the Warriors in his 300-game career, the equal most appearances he has against another club, tied with Penrith and the Titans. 
  • The Raiders have won seven of their past eight games.
  • The Raiders have conceded the second most tries in the NRL this season.
  • Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson requires three goals for 500 NRL goals.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.