Raiders v Warriors: Croker back on deck; O'Sullivan in for CHT
Canberra are in the process of re-establishing GIO Stadium as a fortress in 2021.
The Raiders accounted for the Wests Tigers in round one at the national capital and will be heavy favourites to again benefit from home comforts against the Warriors.
After upsetting the Titans to start the season, the Warriors lost a close contest with Newcastle at Gosford in round two via a late defensive lapse.
Raiders v Warriors
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Raiders
6th Position
away Team
Warriors
9th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The rundown
Team news
Raiders: In a series of changes made public an hour before the match, Ryan Sutton (No.15) will start at prop and Sebastian Kris (No.21) in the second row, after Hudson Young (No.11) and Caleb Aekins (No. 20) were the last two players omitted.
Tom Starling will come off the bench.
A boost for the Green Machine with co-captain Jarrod Croker named to play his first game of the year after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
Coach Ricky Stuart was waiting for Croker to improve his conditioning after missing training due to off-season shoulder surgery.
Dunamis Lui and Sam Williams were the two players left out 24 hours before the match.
The Raiders have won three of their past four games against the Warriors.
Warriors: In a series of positional changes announced an hour before kick-off, Jazz Tevaga (No.14) comes into the starting side at lock, Tohu Harris (No.13) moves into the second row and Bayley Sironen (No.12) will start on the interchange bench.
Tom Ale and Marcelo Montoya were the two players left out an hour before the match.
Sean O'Sullivan will come into the side at halfback to replace Chanel Harris-Tavita, who is set to spend up to 12 weeks out after scans revealed a stress fracture in his left foot.
Bunty Afoa will start at prop in place of the suspended Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Jack Murchie has been named to return from a pectoral injury on the bench.
Kane Evans and Paul Turner were culled from the reserves when the team was reduced to 19 on Friday.
Prop Addin Fonua-Blake will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Match: Raiders v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'a
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod CrokerCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis ScottCentre for Warriors is number 4 Peta Hiku
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George WilliamsHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Raiders is number 15 Ryan SuttonProp for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa Katoa
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 21 Sebastian Kris2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Joseph TapineLock for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Iosia SoliolaInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ryan JamesInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Leeson Ah Mau
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Tom StarlingInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Jack Murchie
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad v Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: The battle of the hyphenated Kiwi fullbacks should be worth the price of admission alone.
With RTS heading to rugby union next year, CNK looms as the likely contender to replace the experienced fullback in the New Zealand No.1 jersey at the World Cup at the end of this season if he can maintain the form he's displayed since moving to the Raiders a couple of years ago.
Stat attack
Addin Fonua-Blake is again one of the NRL's best players in 2021 when it comes to post-contact metres.
The former Manly prop, who made a high-profile switch to the Warriors in the off-season, has racked up a total of 152 post-contact metres in the opening two rounds, well supported by winger Ken Maumalo, who only trails him by four in this department.
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