2018 Rd 24 V Rabbitohs: Game Day
Posted: August 21, 2018, 4:16 pm
2018 Rd 24 V Rabbitohs: Game Day
Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
Saturday 25 August 3:00pm
Canberra Stadium
Tickets: Click here
TV coverage: Fox League Channel 502
Radio: ABC, 2CC, Mix 106.3
Weather: Shower or two. Cloudy. High chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. Light winds. Chance of any rain: 80 per cent. Possible rainfall: 1 to 6 mm. Min 4 Max 15
Round 23 2018. Canberra Raiders 14 - Sydney Roosters 12. The margin was again narrow, but this time it was in favour of the Raiders. The Raiders won despite the Roosters scoring two tries to one. It was a gritty performance from Canberra, determined. It was the sort of grinding victory that Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has been long searching for. The Roosters might not have been at their absolute best, but they are a team playing for a minor premiership - and they played well. Raiders fans were left scratching their heads... where has this Raiders team been all season?
2018 Round 23 Canberra Raiders V Sydney Roosters
More on Round 23: As I saw it
In Round 24, the Raiders stage their final home game of the season at Canberra Stadium, a meeting with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. For the Raiders, Michael Oldfield (knee) returns from injury at centre, with Elliott Whitehead moving back to the second row. Second rower Joseph Tapine (broken thumb) has been ruled out for the season. Aidan Sezer (hamstring) has been included on the reserves list.
Fullback Alex Johnston, winger Campbell Graham and captain and centre Greg Inglis all return from injury for the Rabbitohs. Dane Gagai moves from fullback to centre. Braidon Burns replaces Mawene Hiroti on the bench. Tyrell Fuimaono and Richie Kennar drop to the reserves list.
Late changes: On Friday afternoon, the Canberra Raiders omitted Aidan Sezer (hamstring) and Makahesi Makatoa from their squad to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Rabbitohs omitted Braidon Burns and Richard Kennar.
History: Canberra has won 31 of 54 games against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Raiders have won four of the past 10 matches - and have also won three of the past five. The Raiders won the only contest between the teams in 2017, 32-18, at the Olympic Stadium, but lost the match up in Round 7 this year at Gosford, 42-22.
2018 Round 7 Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
2017 Round 21 Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
2016 Round 21 Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
In this week's "History Happens" we go back to 1987 and the infamous sudden death finals match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It is a day Souths winger Steve Mavin would love to forget... but it is one Raiders fans love to remember... with the Raiders on their way to their first Grand Final appearance.
1987 Semi final Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
Form: The Rabbitohs had a nine game winning streak up to Round 18, but have since lost three of five matches. They have had recent losses to the Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters - and were 38-18 losers to the Brisbane Broncos in their last start. They have a LWWLL form line, while the Raiders broke a four game losing streak against the Roosters last week.
Betting: The Rabbitohs are $1.54 favourites in the match, with the Raiders paying $2.50. The Raiders’ odds have lengthened slightly over the week. The Raiders have 4.5 points start in the line betting.
Stat attack: It is a clash between third (Rabbitohs) and 10th (Raiders) on the competition ladder. Canberra has a nine and 13 record in 2018, while the Rabbitohs are 15 and seven. Canberra has played 10 matches against top eight teams and won one. The Rabbitohs have won five of 11 matches against top eight sides.
The Raiders are ranked first in the NRL for total points (509) and and second for tries (87) scored in 2018. The Rabbitohs rank second in the league for points (519) and first for tries (88) scored. Both teams average around 24 points and four tries per match. The Rabbitohs, however, have the better defence. They rank fifth in the NRL in defence, conceding 18 points and three tries per match. The Raiders rank fourth worst in defence. They let in an an average of 23 points and four 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 -44, Warriors +1, Broncos +10). The Rabbitohs have a points differential of +116.
The Rabbitohs average more running metres (Rabbitohs 1575m, Raiders 1438m per match) and more kicking metres (Rabbitohs 446m, Raiders 393m per match). Both teams complete at 78 per cent, and both teams make 10 errors per match. The Raiders, with the Panthers, are the least disciplined team in the NRL. They average 9.3 penalties conceded per match, compared with 8.4 for the Rabbitohs. Both teams receive around 8.5 penalties per match. The Rabbitohs make slightly more offloads (10-9 per match on average), while both teams average around five line breaks per game.
The Rabbitohs have the better tackle efficiency rate (Rabbitohs missing 30 of 348 tackles required on average per match, the Raiders missing 33 of 341).
Our tip: The Raiders have avoided the wooden spoon, but can only now hope to build a springboard for 2019. Their mathematical chance at the finals ended with the loss to the Tigers. The Rabbitohs, however, are one of three teams on 32 competition points, at the head of the ladder. They are still playing for a minor premiership, and at the least a top two finish. They have key players back from injury. Canberra surprised another premiership contended last weekend, but the Raiders are still significantly impacted by injury and suspension. It'll be tough to knock off a premiership contender two weeks in a row. Hopefully I'm wrong again... but it should be a Rabbitohs win (by six).
What they're saying:
Sam Williams: "Everyone speaks about us maybe going into our shell in the last 10 minutes because we lose [close] games. We've got to make sure we back it up next week against a really good team. The team and the squad we've got here has got the ability to do it, we've just let too many games slip this year to be at the right end of the table. It's there, it's just about finding that little bit more consistency and closing those games out a little bit more often."
Emre Guler: "I'm hoping I didn't look out of place. I just want to keep playing NRL until it's finished hopefully and just keep building a platform and build on top of that. It will be good, it will be exciting. The old club, it always means something, there's always something special there. Even when I played them in 20s there's always that bit of banter with the boys. Hopefully we get a win."
Canberra Raiders
1. Brad Abbey
2. Nick Cotric
3. Michael Oldfield
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Blake Austin
7. Sam Williams
8. Dunamis Lui
9. Josh Hodgson (C)
10. Shannon Boyd
11. Sia Soliola
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Josh Papalii
14. Emre Guler
15. Junior Paulo
16. Siliva Havili
17. Luke Bateman
18. Jack Murchie
19. Liam Knight
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston
2. Campbell Graham
3. Greg Inglis
4. Dane Gagai
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Cody Walker
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Thomas Burgess
9. Damien Cook
10. George Burgess
11. John Sutton
12. Angus Crichton
13. Sam Burgess
15. Cameron Murray
16. Jason Clark
17. Tevita Tatola
19. Tyrell Fuimaono
20. Dean Britt
21. Mawene Hiroti
Officials:
Referees: Adam Gee, Gavin Reynolds
Sideline Officials: Clayton Sharpe, Jarrod Cole
Video Referees: Luke Patten, Ben Cummins
Match Hashtags: #NRL #WeareRaiders #BleedGreen #NRLRaidersSouths
The Greenhouse Hashtags: #WearGreen2018 #FromAllAngles
Mounties teams: Click here
Plus follow us on Twitter: @TheGHRaiders and Instagram: @TheGHRaiders
Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
Saturday 25 August 3:00pm
Canberra Stadium
Tickets: Click here
TV coverage: Fox League Channel 502
Radio: ABC, 2CC, Mix 106.3
Weather: Shower or two. Cloudy. High chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm, most likely in the afternoon and early evening. Light winds. Chance of any rain: 80 per cent. Possible rainfall: 1 to 6 mm. Min 4 Max 15
Round 23 2018. Canberra Raiders 14 - Sydney Roosters 12. The margin was again narrow, but this time it was in favour of the Raiders. The Raiders won despite the Roosters scoring two tries to one. It was a gritty performance from Canberra, determined. It was the sort of grinding victory that Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has been long searching for. The Roosters might not have been at their absolute best, but they are a team playing for a minor premiership - and they played well. Raiders fans were left scratching their heads... where has this Raiders team been all season?
2018 Round 23 Canberra Raiders V Sydney Roosters
More on Round 23: As I saw it
In Round 24, the Raiders stage their final home game of the season at Canberra Stadium, a meeting with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. For the Raiders, Michael Oldfield (knee) returns from injury at centre, with Elliott Whitehead moving back to the second row. Second rower Joseph Tapine (broken thumb) has been ruled out for the season. Aidan Sezer (hamstring) has been included on the reserves list.
Fullback Alex Johnston, winger Campbell Graham and captain and centre Greg Inglis all return from injury for the Rabbitohs. Dane Gagai moves from fullback to centre. Braidon Burns replaces Mawene Hiroti on the bench. Tyrell Fuimaono and Richie Kennar drop to the reserves list.
Late changes: On Friday afternoon, the Canberra Raiders omitted Aidan Sezer (hamstring) and Makahesi Makatoa from their squad to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Rabbitohs omitted Braidon Burns and Richard Kennar.
History: Canberra has won 31 of 54 games against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The Raiders have won four of the past 10 matches - and have also won three of the past five. The Raiders won the only contest between the teams in 2017, 32-18, at the Olympic Stadium, but lost the match up in Round 7 this year at Gosford, 42-22.
2018 Round 7 Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
2017 Round 21 Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
2016 Round 21 Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
In this week's "History Happens" we go back to 1987 and the infamous sudden death finals match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It is a day Souths winger Steve Mavin would love to forget... but it is one Raiders fans love to remember... with the Raiders on their way to their first Grand Final appearance.
1987 Semi final Canberra Raiders V South Sydney Rabbitohs
Form: The Rabbitohs had a nine game winning streak up to Round 18, but have since lost three of five matches. They have had recent losses to the Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters - and were 38-18 losers to the Brisbane Broncos in their last start. They have a LWWLL form line, while the Raiders broke a four game losing streak against the Roosters last week.
Betting: The Rabbitohs are $1.54 favourites in the match, with the Raiders paying $2.50. The Raiders’ odds have lengthened slightly over the week. The Raiders have 4.5 points start in the line betting.
Stat attack: It is a clash between third (Rabbitohs) and 10th (Raiders) on the competition ladder. Canberra has a nine and 13 record in 2018, while the Rabbitohs are 15 and seven. Canberra has played 10 matches against top eight teams and won one. The Rabbitohs have won five of 11 matches against top eight sides.
The Raiders are ranked first in the NRL for total points (509) and and second for tries (87) scored in 2018. The Rabbitohs rank second in the league for points (519) and first for tries (88) scored. Both teams average around 24 points and four tries per match. The Rabbitohs, however, have the better defence. They rank fifth in the NRL in defence, conceding 18 points and three tries per match. The Raiders rank fourth worst in defence. They let in an an average of 23 points and four 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 -44, Warriors +1, Broncos +10). The Rabbitohs have a points differential of +116.
The Rabbitohs average more running metres (Rabbitohs 1575m, Raiders 1438m per match) and more kicking metres (Rabbitohs 446m, Raiders 393m per match). Both teams complete at 78 per cent, and both teams make 10 errors per match. The Raiders, with the Panthers, are the least disciplined team in the NRL. They average 9.3 penalties conceded per match, compared with 8.4 for the Rabbitohs. Both teams receive around 8.5 penalties per match. The Rabbitohs make slightly more offloads (10-9 per match on average), while both teams average around five line breaks per game.
The Rabbitohs have the better tackle efficiency rate (Rabbitohs missing 30 of 348 tackles required on average per match, the Raiders missing 33 of 341).
Our tip: The Raiders have avoided the wooden spoon, but can only now hope to build a springboard for 2019. Their mathematical chance at the finals ended with the loss to the Tigers. The Rabbitohs, however, are one of three teams on 32 competition points, at the head of the ladder. They are still playing for a minor premiership, and at the least a top two finish. They have key players back from injury. Canberra surprised another premiership contended last weekend, but the Raiders are still significantly impacted by injury and suspension. It'll be tough to knock off a premiership contender two weeks in a row. Hopefully I'm wrong again... but it should be a Rabbitohs win (by six).
What they're saying:
Sam Williams: "Everyone speaks about us maybe going into our shell in the last 10 minutes because we lose [close] games. We've got to make sure we back it up next week against a really good team. The team and the squad we've got here has got the ability to do it, we've just let too many games slip this year to be at the right end of the table. It's there, it's just about finding that little bit more consistency and closing those games out a little bit more often."
Emre Guler: "I'm hoping I didn't look out of place. I just want to keep playing NRL until it's finished hopefully and just keep building a platform and build on top of that. It will be good, it will be exciting. The old club, it always means something, there's always something special there. Even when I played them in 20s there's always that bit of banter with the boys. Hopefully we get a win."
Canberra Raiders
1. Brad Abbey
2. Nick Cotric
3. Michael Oldfield
4. Joey Leilua
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Blake Austin
7. Sam Williams
8. Dunamis Lui
9. Josh Hodgson (C)
10. Shannon Boyd
11. Sia Soliola
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Josh Papalii
14. Emre Guler
15. Junior Paulo
16. Siliva Havili
17. Luke Bateman
18. Jack Murchie
19. Liam Knight
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Alex Johnston
2. Campbell Graham
3. Greg Inglis
4. Dane Gagai
5. Hymel Hunt
6. Cody Walker
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Thomas Burgess
9. Damien Cook
10. George Burgess
11. John Sutton
12. Angus Crichton
13. Sam Burgess
15. Cameron Murray
16. Jason Clark
17. Tevita Tatola
19. Tyrell Fuimaono
20. Dean Britt
21. Mawene Hiroti
Officials:
Referees: Adam Gee, Gavin Reynolds
Sideline Officials: Clayton Sharpe, Jarrod Cole
Video Referees: Luke Patten, Ben Cummins
Match Hashtags: #NRL #WeareRaiders #BleedGreen #NRLRaidersSouths
The Greenhouse Hashtags: #WearGreen2018 #FromAllAngles
Mounties teams: Click here
Plus follow us on Twitter: @TheGHRaiders and Instagram: @TheGHRaiders
