Topic: Rapana nets another Raiders NRL record

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Rapana nets another Raiders NRL record
« on: September 17, 2016, 10:05:53 PM »
The last time a man in green gobbled this many meat pies, Canberra ate up a trophy.

Raiders fans are now salivating over more feasts after Jordan Rapana capped off his team's NRL semi-final 22-12 win over Penrith with a club record-equalling 22nd try of the season.

He scored a crucial first-half try to join club legends Noa Nadruku, Jason Croker and Brett Mullins for most tries in a single season.

And it was centre partner Joey Leilua who set the dinner table for the Raiders winger, breaking out of a Tyrone Peachey tackle and kicking ahead for Rapana to score.

But in a strong omen for the long-suffering Raiders faithful, the last time a Raiders player netted at least 22 tries in a single season, the Green Machine claimed a premiership.

Both Croker and Mullins set the mark in 1994, when then-captain Mal Meninga raised the trophy after their 36-12 grand final win over Canterbury.

Next week's grand final qualifier against Melbourne ends the Raiders' 21-year wait for a preliminary final.

The record caps off a stellar season for the 27-year-old Rapana, who also copped a high shot from Panthers forward Sitaleki Akauola from the second half restart.

He finished the night with 131 metres off 13 carries and two tackle breaks, and is expected to be handed a New Zealand debut in October's Four Nations tournament.

More: http://wwos.dc1.ninemsn.com/article.aspx?id=9165034