Warriors v Raiders Saturday, 2.45pm NZ (12:45pm AEST), Mt Smart Stadium
The Warriors’ first win in three matches has set up a Mt Smart Stadium blockbuster against likely minor premiers Canberra.
New Zealand charged back into form with a 44-12 drubbing of the Gold Coast Titans, five-eighth Tuimoala Lolohea capping a marvellous afternoon with a brace of tries.
The dynamic pivot set up another of his side’s eight tries and ran for 106 metres in one of the best halves efforts all season.
The win was New Zealand’s equal biggest of 2013 and rivals the 52-20 mauling inflicted on the Sea Eagles in Round 13 for spectacle.
They’ll need to produce a similar performance if they are to compete with the Canberra Raiders who enter the match fresh from a 52-38 smashing of Manly.
Back-rower Patrick Mago racked up a hat-trick of tries for the Green Machine with startling ease, running for 177 metres, busting eight tackles and making 28 of his own along the way.
In a slightly worrying sign, Canberra completed just 66 per cent of their sets in the one-sided affair, a statistic overshadowed by nine impressive tries.
If the home side can capitalise when Canberra coughs up the ball – which their brand of football dictates is inevitable – the minor premiership question might just go unresolved until Round 26.
Source: http://www.nrl.com/holden-cup-preview--round-25/tabid/10874/newsid/74322/default.aspx
Topic: NYC Preview: Raiders aim to win Minor Premiership against Warriors
