Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans
Sunday 14 April, 6:15pm
Canberra Stadium
Gates open: 3:45pm
NSW Cup: Raiders v Bulldogs: 4:00pm
Tickets: Click here
TV coverage: Fox League Channel 502
Radio coverage: ABC, Mix106.3, 2CC
Weather: Morning fog then sunny. Patchy morning fog. Sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Chance of any rain: 0 per cent. Min 6 Max 22
The Canberra Raiders are again at home on a Sunday night in Round 6, hosting the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium.
Last round: 2024 Round 5. Canberra Raiders 41 - Parramatta Eels 8. After the debacle of the loss to the Sharks in Round 4, the Raiders bounced back in style, with a big win over the Eels at Canberra Stadium. It feels like it has been a long time since the Raiders have been so comfortably in control of a match. Last week, they led 18-0 and still found a way to lose. Not on Sunday. The attack was brilliant, a pure pleasure to watch. The young backs sparkled.
More on Round 5: As I saw it
Team news: Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana (knee) has been ruled out - and exciting youngster Chevy Stewart will make his NRL debut in his place. Rapana aggravated a pre-existing knee injury early in the first half of the win over the Eels. He returned to the field and played out the second half, but scans on Monday did not produce good news. He requires surgery for a meniscus tear and will be out for 6-8 weeks.
Prop Corey Horsburgh has also been sidelined for 6-8 weeks, with a groin injury. Trey Mooney comes in on the bench in his place. Zac Hosking (concussion) returns in the second row, with Ata Mariota dropping to the bench and Simi Sasagi to the reserves list. Albert Hopoate (burns) and Elliott Whitehead (calf) remain on the injured list, but should return soon.
The Titans have lost their captain, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui for the season due to a serious knee injury. Veteran half Kieran Foran has been named, after he had to leave the field with an ankle injury in the first half of Sunday's clash with the Cowboys. Forward Isaac Liu (concussion) returns on the bench, meaning Joe Stimson drops out of the top 17.
Late changes: The Raiders omitted Zac Woolford, Nick Cotric and Emre Guler from their squad on Saturday night. They left their team otherwise unchanged 1-19. The Titans have cut halfback Tanah Boyd, shifting AJ Brimson to five eight and bringing Alofiana Khan-Pereira in on the wing. Former Raider Harley Smith-Shields shifts to centre.
History: Canberra has won 17 of 30 games against the Gold Coast Titans - and 31 of 46 games played against all incarnations of the Gold Coast. The Raiders have won eight of the past 10 matches against the Titans.
The Raiders were on a five game winning streak against the Titans, heading into the Round 16 clash in 2021 at Canberra Stadium. However, the Raiders were humbled, 44-6, in front of their own home crowd. In Round 3 of 2022, the Raiders trailed the Titans, 22-0, at the 38 minute mark at Canberra Stadium. The Green Machine went on to score five unanswered tries, winning 24-22. The Raiders followed up with a 36-24 victory over the Titans at Robina. The Raiders produced a four point win in the only contest between the clubs last year.
The Raiders have won nine of 14 games against the Titans at Canberra Stadium, including four of the past five.
2023 Round 18 Raiders 26 defeated Titans 22 at Canberra Stadium
2022 Round 20 Raiders 36 defeated Titans 24 at Robina Stadium
2022 Round 3 Raiders 24 defeated Titans 22 at Canberra Stadium
2021 Round 16 Titans 44 defeated Raiders 6 at Canberra Stadium
2021 Round 4 Raiders 20 defeated Titans 4 at Kogarah Jubilee Stadium
Form: Raiders: WWLLW
Titans: WLLLL
The Titans have had a very poor start to season 2024, and are yet to record a win under new coach Des Hasler. They have opened with losses to the Dragons (28-4), Bulldogs (32-0), Dolphins (30-14) and most recently, the Cowboys (35-22).
The Raiders started the year well, winning their first two games of the year against the Knights (28-12) and Tigers (32-12). They also played fairly well in the Round 3 loss to the Warriors (18-10). But the Raiders came a cropper against the Sharks, losing 36-22, after they led 18-0 at the 25 minute mark. Their win over the Eels in their most recent outing, however, was impressive.
Betting: The Raiders are $1.35 favourites, with the Titans paying $3.22. The Titans have 8.5 points start in the line betting. The Titans' odds have shortened since the market opened.
Stat attack: The Titans have been struggling in 2024. I knew that. But they almost have the perfect storm of poor statistics. They rank last in attack, based on average tries scored per match. They are also last for running metres, tackle breaks, line breaks and offloads. If it weren't for the Rabbitohs, the Titans would also have the worst defence. They are 16th for most average points and tries conceded. The Titans rank first for most line breaks conceded and most missed tackles - and second for most ineffective tackles.
The Raiders have the best possession share this year - while the Titans rank last. The Raiders also rank second for the best completion rate in the NRL (Titans rank sixth). No team has made more dummy half runs than the Raiders in 2024.
2024 Season record: Raiders 3 and 2 (5th, +47), 2 and 0 at home
Titans 0 and 4 (16th, -85), 0 and 2 away
Attack: Raiders 27 points and 5 tries scored per match, ranked 3rd on average tries scored
Titans 10 points and 2 tries scored per match, ranked 17th on average tries scored
Defence: Raiders 17 points and 3 tries conceded per match, ranked equal 4th on average tries conceded
Titans 31 points and 6 tries conceded per match, ranked 16th on average tries conceded
Possession: Raiders 53 per cent, Titans 46 per cent
Completion rate: Raiders 83 per cent, Titans 80 per cent
Running: Raiders 1696 running metres per match, ranked 5th
Titans 1445 running metres per match, ranked 17th
Tackle breaks: Raiders 30, Titans 22 per match
Line breaks: Raiders 6, Titans 3 per match
Try assists: Raiders 4, Titans 2 per match
Offloads: Raiders 9, Titans 5 per match
Kicking: Raiders 657 kicking metres per match, ranked 1st
Titans 554 kicking metres per match, ranked 13th
Running metres conceded: Raiders 1332, Titans 1523 per match
Missed tackles: Raiders 25, Titans 39 per match
Ineffective tackles: Raiders 12, Titans 18 per match
Tackle efficiency: Raiders 89 per cent, Titans 86 per cent
Errors: Raiders 9, Titans 10 per match
Penalties conceded: Raiders 5, Titans 4 per match
Penalties awarded: Raiders 7, Titans 6 per match
My tip: The Raiders are favourites in this game, deservedly so. The Titans' form line and numbers are poor, to say the least. For some reason, Canberra seems to struggle against the Gold Coast. The Raiders have won the last three clashes with the Titans, but the wins have been pretty scratchy. Still, it is difficult to see the Raiders losing this one. Raiders by 12.
Canberra Raiders
1. Chevy Stewart
2. James Schiller
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Danny Levi
10. Joe Tapine (c)
11. Hudson Young
12. Zac Hosking
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Tom Starling
15. Ata Mariota
16. Trey Mooney
17. Pasami Saulo
18. Kaeo Weekes
19. Simi Sasagi
Injury/Suspension
Albert Hopoate, Burns (Round 7)
Elliott Whitehead, Calf (Round 8-9)
Corey Horsburgh, Groin (Round 12-14)
Jordan Rapana, Knee (Round 12-14)
Corey Harawira-Naera, Seizure (TBA)
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell
5. Jojo Fifita
2. Harley Smith-Shields
3. Brian Kelly
22. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
4. AJ Brimson
6. Kieran Foran
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Chris Randall
10. Jaimin Jolliffe
11. David Fifita
12. Beau Fermor
13. Klese Haas
14. Sam Verrills
15. Erin Clark
16. Isaac Liu
17. Josiah Pahulu
21. Tony Francis
20. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui
Injury/Suspension
Isaac Liu, Concussion (Round 6)
Keenan Palasia, Quad (Round 8)
Phillip Sami, Ankle (Round 9)
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Knee (Season)
Officials
Referee: Kasey Badger
Touch judges: Damian Brady, Chris Sutton
Video referee: Peter Gough
Match Hashtags: #NRL #WeareRaiders #NRLRaidersTitans
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