2018 Rd 23 V Roosters: Game Day
Posted: August 14, 2018, 4:15 pm
2018 Rd 23 V Roosters: Game Day
Canberra Raiders V Sydney Roosters
Sunday 19 August 4:10pm
Canberra Stadium
Tickets: Click here
TV coverage: Nine, Fox League Channel 502
Radio: ABC, 2CC, Mix 106.3
Weather: Possible shower. Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Winds west to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h turning south to southwesterly in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent. Possible rainfall: 0 to 0.4 mm. Min -1 Max 11
Round 22 2018. Wests Tigers 22 - Canberra Raiders 20. Yet another narrow loss. And it was the end of any mathematical possibility that the Raiders could make the finals, with three rounds of the regular season left. It was the fifth game in 2018 lost by two points or less. It was the seventh game lost by four points or less. That's the difference between a share of 10th place and the competition lead. The Raiders ultimately lost the match in the first 20 minutes, conceding three tries and 16 points while Joey Leilua was in the sin bin. The Raiders came back, and reduced the deficit to just two points with 15 minutes to go. But ill discipline and error in the final stages meant the team were unable to post a winning try in the final stages.
More on Round 22: As I saw it
In Round 23, the Raiders are again at home to Canberra Stadium, this time for a meeting with the Sydney Roosters. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has shifted Brad Abbey back to fullback with Nick Cotric moving to his usual wing spot. After a string of outstanding performances for Mounties, forward Emre Guler will make his first grade debut from the bench, replacing Jack Murchie in the top 17. Half Aidan Sezer (hamstring) is still out of the squad, while second rower Elliott Whitehead is again covering for Jarrod Croker (dislocated knee cap) in the centres. For the Roosters, Dylan Napa comes in at prop, replacing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs). Nat Butcher has been added to the bench.
The Raiders will wear a special #AutismWellbeing jersey in aid of charity in this match.
Late changes: The Raiders omitted Michael Oldfield and Makahesi Makatoa from the extended bench on Saturday afternoon. Sitili Tupouniua and Kurt Baptiste dropped off the Roosters extended bench.
History: The Raiders have won 27 of 60 matches against the Sydney Roosters. Despite some long losing streaks against the Roosters since the turn of the century, the Raiders have won five of the past 10 matches, including the past two. The Raiders won 21-20 in Round 2 of 2016 and 24-16 in Round 12 of 2017, with both matches played at Canberra Stadium. The Raiders have won 13 of 19 matches at Canberra Stadium, including the past four straight and eight of the last 10. The Roosters haven’t won at Canberra Stadium since 2010, but that also reflects the fact that the Roosters rarely play the Raiders more than once in a season.
This week’s "History Happens"? Let's go back to Round 5 of 1990. Mal Meninga produced a record try and points haul... and it is still one of the three biggest winning margins for the Green Machine history.
1990 Round 5 Canberra Raiders V Eastern Suburbs Roosters
Form: The Roosters are on a five game winning streak, their last defeat coming at the hands of the Melbourne Storm, 9-8, in Round 16. It is the only loss in their past 10 games. They recorded an 18-14 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their last outing, taking the competition lead. The Raiders are on a four game losing streak.
Betting: The Roosters are firm $1.46 favourites in the match, with the Raiders paying $2.75. The Raiders have 6.5 points start in the line betting.
Stat attack: It is a clash between first (Roosters) and 10th (Raiders) on the competition ladder. Canberra has an eight and 13 record in 2018, while the Roosters are 15 and six. Canberra has played nine matches against top eight teams and has lost all nine. The Roosters have won five of 10 matches against top eight sides.
Incredibly, the Raiders are ranked first in the NRL for total points (509) and tries (86) scored in 2018. The Roosters rank fourth in the league in attack (23 points and 3.7 tries scored per match, compared with 24 points and 4.1 tries per match for the Raiders). The Roosters rank first in the NRL in defence, conceding 15 points (2.3 tries) per match. The Raiders rank fourth worst in defence. They let in an an average of 24 points (3.8 tries) per match.
The Raiders remain the only team in the bottom eight with a positive points differential (+13), and still have a better points differential than three teams above them (Tigers -34, Broncos -10, Warriors +2).
The Roosters average more running metres (Roosters 1553m, Raiders 1435m per match) and more kicking metres (Roosters 475m, Raiders 386m per match). The Raiders have a slightly better completion rate (Raiders 77 per cent, Roosters 76 per cent). The Roosters average more errors per match (12-10). But the Raiders are, with the Panthers, one of the two least disciplined teams in the competition. They average 10 penalties per match, compared with nine for the Roosters. The Raiders, however, receive slightly more penalties (Raiders 8.5, Roosters eight). The Raiders make more offloads (10-8 per match on average) and more line breaks (Raiders five, Roosters three per match).
The Roosters have the better tackle efficiency rate (Roosters missing 27 of 356 tackles required on average per match, the Raiders missing 33 of 339).
Our tip: The Raiders are now simply playing for pride and have no chance of making the finals. They are significantly impacted by injury and suspension, and are in poor form, with ill discipline and error costing them all season. The Roosters, on the other hand, have built their season slowly but surely... and are now the No. 1 team in the league. Canberra has a slight advantage in attack, but it is defence that counts as the season creeps close to the finals. And there's now no team better in the defensive stakes than the Roosters. The Roosters should be big winners in this one. Roosters by 12.
What they're saying:
Joe Tapine on his own good recent form: "No point of feeling good about it when it comes in a loss. Part of our job is to win, it's what we get paid to do. So we'll get back to the drawing board this week because we've got a couple of tough games coming up. We've got a couple of boys leaving and I've played with them for a couple of years, so we went to send them off in the right way and the fans they deserve it for supporting us."
Elliott Whitehead on playing in the centres: "I'd prefer to play back row but if [coach Ricky Stuart] wants me to play centre then I will. A little bit frustrating for me. I feel like I was finding some good form in the back row, then I have to play a different position. If I have to do that for the team and that's the best for the team then I'm willing to do that."
Canberra Raiders
1. Brad Abbey
2. Nick Cotric
3. Elliott Whitehead
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Blake Austin
7. Sam Williams
8. Dunamis Lui
9. Josh Hodgson (C)
10. Shannon Boyd
11. Joe Tapine
12. Sia Soliola
13. Josh Papalii
14. Emre Guler
15. Luke Bateman
16. Siliva Havili
17. Junior Paulo
18. Jack Murchie
19. Liam Knight
INJURY/SUSPENSION LIST
Aidan Sezer (Hamstring) Indefinite
Jarrod Croker (Knee) Season
Jack Wighton (Suspended) Season
Ata Hingano (Ankle) Season
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Joseph Manu
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Ryan Matterson
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Dylan Napa
9. Jake Friend (c)
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Boyd Cordner (c)
12. Isaac Liu
13. Victor Radley
14. Nat Butcher
15. Zane Tetevano
16. Mitchell Aubusson
17. Sean O'Sullivan
20. Paul Momirovski
21. Lindsay Collins
Officials:
Referees: Henry Perenara, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Tim Roby
Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea
Match Hashtags: #NRL #WeareRaiders #BleedGreen #NRLRaidersRoosters
The Greenhouse Hashtags: #WearGreen2018 #FromAllAngles
Mounties team: Click here
Plus follow us on Twitter: @TheGHRaiders and Instagram: @TheGHRaiders
Canberra Raiders V Sydney Roosters
Sunday 19 August 4:10pm
Canberra Stadium
Tickets: Click here
TV coverage: Nine, Fox League Channel 502
Radio: ABC, 2CC, Mix 106.3
Weather: Possible shower. Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. Winds west to northwesterly 25 to 35 km/h turning south to southwesterly in the early afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Chance of any rain: 40 per cent. Possible rainfall: 0 to 0.4 mm. Min -1 Max 11
Round 22 2018. Wests Tigers 22 - Canberra Raiders 20. Yet another narrow loss. And it was the end of any mathematical possibility that the Raiders could make the finals, with three rounds of the regular season left. It was the fifth game in 2018 lost by two points or less. It was the seventh game lost by four points or less. That's the difference between a share of 10th place and the competition lead. The Raiders ultimately lost the match in the first 20 minutes, conceding three tries and 16 points while Joey Leilua was in the sin bin. The Raiders came back, and reduced the deficit to just two points with 15 minutes to go. But ill discipline and error in the final stages meant the team were unable to post a winning try in the final stages.
More on Round 22: As I saw it
In Round 23, the Raiders are again at home to Canberra Stadium, this time for a meeting with the Sydney Roosters. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has shifted Brad Abbey back to fullback with Nick Cotric moving to his usual wing spot. After a string of outstanding performances for Mounties, forward Emre Guler will make his first grade debut from the bench, replacing Jack Murchie in the top 17. Half Aidan Sezer (hamstring) is still out of the squad, while second rower Elliott Whitehead is again covering for Jarrod Croker (dislocated knee cap) in the centres. For the Roosters, Dylan Napa comes in at prop, replacing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (ribs). Nat Butcher has been added to the bench.
The Raiders will wear a special #AutismWellbeing jersey in aid of charity in this match.
Late changes: The Raiders omitted Michael Oldfield and Makahesi Makatoa from the extended bench on Saturday afternoon. Sitili Tupouniua and Kurt Baptiste dropped off the Roosters extended bench.
History: The Raiders have won 27 of 60 matches against the Sydney Roosters. Despite some long losing streaks against the Roosters since the turn of the century, the Raiders have won five of the past 10 matches, including the past two. The Raiders won 21-20 in Round 2 of 2016 and 24-16 in Round 12 of 2017, with both matches played at Canberra Stadium. The Raiders have won 13 of 19 matches at Canberra Stadium, including the past four straight and eight of the last 10. The Roosters haven’t won at Canberra Stadium since 2010, but that also reflects the fact that the Roosters rarely play the Raiders more than once in a season.
This week’s "History Happens"? Let's go back to Round 5 of 1990. Mal Meninga produced a record try and points haul... and it is still one of the three biggest winning margins for the Green Machine history.
1990 Round 5 Canberra Raiders V Eastern Suburbs Roosters
Form: The Roosters are on a five game winning streak, their last defeat coming at the hands of the Melbourne Storm, 9-8, in Round 16. It is the only loss in their past 10 games. They recorded an 18-14 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their last outing, taking the competition lead. The Raiders are on a four game losing streak.
Betting: The Roosters are firm $1.46 favourites in the match, with the Raiders paying $2.75. The Raiders have 6.5 points start in the line betting.
Stat attack: It is a clash between first (Roosters) and 10th (Raiders) on the competition ladder. Canberra has an eight and 13 record in 2018, while the Roosters are 15 and six. Canberra has played nine matches against top eight teams and has lost all nine. The Roosters have won five of 10 matches against top eight sides.
Incredibly, the Raiders are ranked first in the NRL for total points (509) and tries (86) scored in 2018. The Roosters rank fourth in the league in attack (23 points and 3.7 tries scored per match, compared with 24 points and 4.1 tries per match for the Raiders). The Roosters rank first in the NRL in defence, conceding 15 points (2.3 tries) per match. The Raiders rank fourth worst in defence. They let in an an average of 24 points (3.8 tries) per match.
The Raiders remain the only team in the bottom eight with a positive points differential (+13), and still have a better points differential than three teams above them (Tigers -34, Broncos -10, Warriors +2).
The Roosters average more running metres (Roosters 1553m, Raiders 1435m per match) and more kicking metres (Roosters 475m, Raiders 386m per match). The Raiders have a slightly better completion rate (Raiders 77 per cent, Roosters 76 per cent). The Roosters average more errors per match (12-10). But the Raiders are, with the Panthers, one of the two least disciplined teams in the competition. They average 10 penalties per match, compared with nine for the Roosters. The Raiders, however, receive slightly more penalties (Raiders 8.5, Roosters eight). The Raiders make more offloads (10-8 per match on average) and more line breaks (Raiders five, Roosters three per match).
The Roosters have the better tackle efficiency rate (Roosters missing 27 of 356 tackles required on average per match, the Raiders missing 33 of 339).
Our tip: The Raiders are now simply playing for pride and have no chance of making the finals. They are significantly impacted by injury and suspension, and are in poor form, with ill discipline and error costing them all season. The Roosters, on the other hand, have built their season slowly but surely... and are now the No. 1 team in the league. Canberra has a slight advantage in attack, but it is defence that counts as the season creeps close to the finals. And there's now no team better in the defensive stakes than the Roosters. The Roosters should be big winners in this one. Roosters by 12.
What they're saying:
Joe Tapine on his own good recent form: "No point of feeling good about it when it comes in a loss. Part of our job is to win, it's what we get paid to do. So we'll get back to the drawing board this week because we've got a couple of tough games coming up. We've got a couple of boys leaving and I've played with them for a couple of years, so we went to send them off in the right way and the fans they deserve it for supporting us."
Elliott Whitehead on playing in the centres: "I'd prefer to play back row but if [coach Ricky Stuart] wants me to play centre then I will. A little bit frustrating for me. I feel like I was finding some good form in the back row, then I have to play a different position. If I have to do that for the team and that's the best for the team then I'm willing to do that."
Canberra Raiders
1. Brad Abbey
2. Nick Cotric
3. Elliott Whitehead
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Blake Austin
7. Sam Williams
8. Dunamis Lui
9. Josh Hodgson (C)
10. Shannon Boyd
11. Joe Tapine
12. Sia Soliola
13. Josh Papalii
14. Emre Guler
15. Luke Bateman
16. Siliva Havili
17. Junior Paulo
18. Jack Murchie
19. Liam Knight
INJURY/SUSPENSION LIST
Aidan Sezer (Hamstring) Indefinite
Jarrod Croker (Knee) Season
Jack Wighton (Suspended) Season
Ata Hingano (Ankle) Season
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Joseph Manu
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Ryan Matterson
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Dylan Napa
9. Jake Friend (c)
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Boyd Cordner (c)
12. Isaac Liu
13. Victor Radley
14. Nat Butcher
15. Zane Tetevano
16. Mitchell Aubusson
17. Sean O'Sullivan
20. Paul Momirovski
21. Lindsay Collins
Officials:
Referees: Henry Perenara, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Sideline Officials: Brett Suttor, Tim Roby
Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea
Match Hashtags: #NRL #WeareRaiders #BleedGreen #NRLRaidersRoosters
The Greenhouse Hashtags: #WearGreen2018 #FromAllAngles
Mounties team: Click here
Plus follow us on Twitter: @TheGHRaiders and Instagram: @TheGHRaiders