NRL Preview: Warriors v RaidersWarriors v Raiders at Canberra Stadium, 4pm
Head-to-head: Played 26; Raiders 14, Warriors 12
Last clash: Warriors 29 bt Raiders 10 at Mt Smart Stadium, Round 21 2011
Raiders $2.10 Warriors $1.67
The Warriors face a tough task in meeting the Raiders at home after both sides produced forgettable performances last round.
The Warriors were embarrassed and out-enthused by a fired-up Roosters side while the Raiders had been travelling nicely until a poor performance saw them come undone in a rare home loss to the Cowboys.
Canberra Stadium is one of the NRL's great graveyards for visiting teams and the Warriors dismal record reflects this with just two wins in 17 years.
The Raiders forward pack has been decimated by injuries to Brett White, Joel Thompson, Shaun Fensom and Trevor Thurling, while star fullback Josh Dugan is also absent, though they are tipped to receive a boost with prop David Schillington expected to be a late inclusion.
His earlier-than-expected return from an oblique injury is vital to the Raiders chances, as they seek to stop what should be a fired-up Warriors pack that was embarrassed in the physical stakes against the Chooks.
If the Warriors can rectify their poor ball control and set the tone with some strong defence early on, their big boys should be able to create enough room for their halves to take control.
Halfback Shaun Johnson faces a challenge to correct his defensive technique which was highlighted by eight glaring misses against a Roosters side that targetted his left edge of the field.
However, executing those fundamentals has proved difficult for the Warriors so far this season, with poor starts marking all their matches bar the fourth round win over the Titans.
The mid-field will also come under the microscope, if not from Raiders playmaker Terry Campese then from impatient Warriors fans who have questioned the ongoing selections of young Ben Henry and Jerome Ropati.
Whether that criticism is valid is another matter, but if the pair fail to show greater attacking thrust and better allignment in defence, pressure is sure to mount on coach Brian McClennan and his selection policies.
In many ways this match sees the Warriors at a crossroads, despite it only being round six.
A win over the Raiders will see them on three wins and three losses and well within range of the top eight, while another loss will see them closer to the bottom of the ladder with a match against the giant-killing Rabbitohs to come next week.
Giving this game another point of interest is the dual between Campese and Maloney, both frontrunners for the NSW pivot role, with each being desperate to stamp their class on the match and show Blues coach Ricky Stuart they are worthy of Origin selection.
Keep up to date with live scoring updates of the match between the Warriors and the Raiders here on tvnz.co.nz from 4pm.
Warriors: Glen Fisiiahi, Bill Tupou, Ben Henry, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (c), Elijah Taylor.
Interchange: Russell Packer, Ukuma Ta'ai, Lewis Brown, Sam Rapira, Krisnan Inu.
Raiders: Reece Robinson, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Shaun Berrigan, Jack Wighton, Terry Campese (c), Josh McCrone, Dane Tilse, Glen Buttriss, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Joe Picker, Bronson Harrison, Josh Papalii.
Interchange: Travis Waddell, Jarrad Kennedy, Sam Mataora, Mark Nicholls.
Source: TVNZ
Topic: Raiders Try to Defend Their Canberra Record Against Warriors
