The Titans tackle one of the toughest road trips in the NRL without a win to their name and new coach Des Hasler facing one of the toughest challenges of his distinguished career.
On the evidence of Sunday afternoon's games, where the Titans gave up 35 points against the Cowboys while the Green Machine piled on 41 against the Eels. this shapes as another tough day for Hasler.
There is no doubt the Titans have the weapons to spring an upset if David Fifita, Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson hit their straps, but it's their defence that needs to stiffen up considerably if they are to contain Canberra's potent backline.
With Xavier Savage, Seb Kris, Matt Timoko and Ethan Strange running hot the Raiders blasted the Eels off the park in Round 5 and will be confident of a similar performance on home turf again this weekend.
Coach Ricky Stuart also has a great balance in his pack with the platform up front are Joseph Tapine and Josh Papalii laying the platform and Hudson Young, Morgan Smithies and Pasami Saulo bringing plenty of power and skill to the table.
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Team News
Raiders: The Raiders remain 1-17 with no late changes on game day. Coach Ricky Stuart has turned to rookie Chevy Stewart for his NRL debut as Jordan Rapana (knee) faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines, with Corey Horsburgh also set to miss Sunday’s match with a groin injury. Zac Hosking will return from a concussion, with Trey Mooney the new face on the bench. Kaeo Weekes is 18th man.
Titans: A late change on game day sees David Fifita shift to the bench which sees Klese Haas move to the backrow and milestone man Isaac Liu to lock for his 50th Titans appearance. Tanah Boyd was ruled out on Saturday with Kieran Foran taking over at halfback having overcome an ankle injury suffered against the Cowboys. AJ Brimson moves to five-eighth and Alofiana Khan-Pereira joins the backline, bringing Harley Smith-Shields into the centres to face his former club.
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Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won eight of their past nine games against the Titans.
- The Titans have conceded 28 points or more in nine consecutive games.
- Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored eight tries in his past 10 NRL games.
- Titans second-rower Beau Fermor has scored seven tries in his past nine NRL games.
- Canberra’s Ricky Stuart has won only six of 25 games against Des Hasler-coached team.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .