With just seven games to go plus a bye, the heat goes up several notches for the One New Zealand Warriors when they face the Raiders in tonight’s round 20 match at GIO Stadium in Canberra (8.00pm kick-off local time; 1.00pm NZT).
Head coach Andrew Webster generally has a routine response when mention of the ladder is made by the media.
But he said this week that the staff and players aren’t hiding from the challenge they have as they sit just outside the top eight lying 12th on 19 points, one behind the Raiders.
“We’ve got a big push now to the end of the season. The bye sets us up well for that but it has been a long two weeks,” he said.
“The future is key. We have to win. It’s extremely tight. We’re only two wins from the eight.
“We know what’s ahead of us. We’ve addressed it so we can stay present. It’s all in our control. We’ve got to win games, play well.
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 20 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan RapanaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan SmithiesLock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny LeviInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Trey MooneyInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata MariotaInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Zac HoskingInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka Halasima
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Adam CookReplacement for Warriors is number 22 Moala Graham-Taufa
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
“Our performance and the way we go about it is the most important thing and then we’ll get the right outcome. We’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s not going to be easy but it’s so tight and a lot of the teams play each other.”
The Warriors and the Raiders enter tonight’s game in identical fashion, both coming off a bye and a loss.
“We know our opposition are going to bring their energy, they’re going to come after us, so we have to make sure we’re ready for that,” he said.
“We have to make sure we do what we do well, give ourselves the best chance and don’t get frustrated. Some of our games have been a bit tight and we haven’t got what we wanted. Just stick at it, stick at what we know works and be the best we can be.”
This will be the 52nd meeting between the two sides with the Raiders just ahead overall (26-25). The Warriors have won the last three clashes.
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 20 -
home Team
Raiders
11th Position
away Team
Warriors
14th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team news
Raiders: A huge in for the Raiders with halfback Jamal Fogarty named to play his first game since suffering a biceps injury in round seven while Hudson Young returns from a groin problem in the back row and Zac Hosking is back from a shoulder injury. Seb Kris has been recalled in the centres for his first game since round 16. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update with Zac Woolford and Adam Cook remaining in the squad.
One New Zealand Warriors: Origin reps Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell arrived in Canberra on Thursday afternoon and are set to back up for the Warriors. Injuries to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) and Marcelo Montoya (groin) have forced another reshuffle with Taine Tuaupiki to start at fullback, Ali Leiataua in the centres and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wing. Winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has recovered from a head knock suffered in round 18. Skipper Tohu Harris has been ruled out for the season with a wrist injury. Tom Ale and Moala Graham-Taufa were retained in the squad when it was trimmed on Thursday.
Stat attack
- The Raiders have won only one of their past five games against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored five tries in his last seven games v Raiders.
- Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes has scored five tries in his past six games.
- The Warriors have won only three from nine in Australia this season.
- The Raiders have lost their last four games at GIO Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
