Jordan Rapana is confident that the changes to the team this week will bring the side confidence and experience that will turn their form around this Friday night.
Co-captains Jarrod Croker and Elliott Whitehead return to the side along with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who will play at fullback shifting Rapana to the wing.
The green machine will welcome back club legend Croker into the centres who will make his first NRL appearance of the season.
Rapana says that Croker will bring a lot of confidence and experience to the side.
“I know for myself and the boys out there that we're all pumped to have our old skip back so he's gonna bring a lot of experience and energy having him back on the field,” Rapana said.
“The boys were pumped to have him back and we know what he's done for this club. The amount of games he's on, not too far away from 300 so it's exciting and awesome.”
Nicoll-Klokstad was one of the Raiders best to start the season, including scoring the match winning try in the Raiders famous comeback win against the Titans earlier this season.
Rapana believes Nicoll-Klokstad is one of the best fullbacks in the game and is looking forward to playing alongside him this weekend.
“I have no doubt that the experience there will help the young boys, having Charnze back at the back. I've seen the confidence he brings so it's good to have him back,” Rapana said.
With Jack Wighton ruled out due to suspension, young halfback Brad Schneider will have a bigger job than normal this Friday night.
Rapana believes that with Timoko moving to the right and the return of Croker, it will give Schneider a huge confidence boost.
“I'll have Matty Timoko inside me there as I think he's back on the right edge which is the side he prefers,” Rapana said.
“Jarrod back on that left will add so much experience and bring a lot of confidence to young Schneider. It's a big job for him to play that position in the NRL, which is the toughest competition in the world.”
More:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/05/06/rapana-confident-reshuffled-raiders-will-bounce-back/
Topic: Rapana confident reshuffled Raiders will bounce back
