The Canberra Raiders have been shunned from the marquee Thursday night and Friday night timeslots despite being NRL premiership favourites and grand finalists of 2019. The NRL will officially publish its draw on Thursday, with the Raiders to play the Melbourne Storm twice within the first two months of the restarted competition and face the Knights, Tigers, Manly, Parramatta and Dragons as well before they can even consider playing matches in Canberra. The Green Machine will also have to negotiate having to play on the Gold Coast and in Townsville potentially without three of their stars after the Queensland Government said any players refusing the flu shot were banned from playing in the state. The Raiders will face the Brisbane Broncos in a "home" fixture in round 14, which will be played at either Campbelltown or Canberra. But they play the Titans and the Cowboys on the road, which will lead to tense conversations about whether Sia Soliola, Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine can make the trip.
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https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6764349/raiders-revamped-nrl-draw-revealed/?cs=14239
Topic: Raiders' revamped NRL draw revealed
