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Bateman wants Kikau to beat charge so they can renew rivalry

Canberra fans will be hoping Viliame Kikau is rubbed out by the judiciary for Sunday's clash at Panthers Stadium but second-rower John Bateman wants to mark up against his opposite number.

Bateman, after Canberra's win over the Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium on Saturday night, said he hoped Kikau beats his charge for a late hit so they can square off against each other again.

The last time the pair faced each other they had a personal battle within a game which was a spectacle to watch as the Raiders downed the Panthers 30-12 in Wagga Wagga in round eight.

However, the torrid tussle led to Bateman coming off second best after a head clash with Kikau, resulting in a broken eye-socket for the Englishman.

Penrith might be without one of their strike weapons as they search for their eighth win in a row after Kikau was slapped with a charge for a hit on Dragons halfback Darren Nicholls.

Kikau could miss one game with an early guilty plea or two if the club loses its appeal at the judiciary.

Match Highlights: Raiders v Wests Tigers

"To be fair they [Penrith] are going well and me personally I'm looking forward playing against them because last time it didn't end so well," Bateman said.

"I won't say I want retribution against him, but I look forward to playing against him. Hopefully he's cleared because he's a good player. They've got a good side and they've been showing that the last few weeks."

The Raiders lifted their record to 11-6, but slipped a spot on percentages after the Roosters leapfrogged with their huge win over Newcastle, after holding on for a 20-12 victory over the Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

After averaging nearly 35 points against the Tigers in their past 10 games, the Raiders jumped out to an early lead and another hiding looked on the cards for the joint-venture club.

However, the visitors scrapped and narrowed the gap to eight just after half-time but that would be as close as they would get.

It was far from the most clinical win for the Raiders but one that could prove to be a blueprint for sustained success this season, according to Bateman.

"They put it to us in that second half, it's tough playing against a team that have nothing to lose so it was a good result for us," he said.

"Winning big games, you don't do it by massive plays it's often won by the little stuff.

"We were able to grind well, do the one percenters and work for each other and just turn up. Winning ugly primes you for those big games and that's what we're all about."

The night started well for the Raiders with a try in just the third minute.

However, it wasn't any regulation four-pointer for Dunamis Lui.

"I didn't realise it was his first try for the club and my next question was when I caught up with him in the sheds was 'how long has he been here' and he said five years," Bateman said.

"But fair play to him I'm really happy for him to get his first try he deserved it for how he played."

Bateman also praised Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for his effort with ball in hand, racking up 151 metres, including 87 on kick-returns.

Nicoll-Klokstad gets there first

"[At] fullback you've got to put your body on the line and he does it week in and week out," Bateman said.

"I went up to him with about two minutes left in the game and he was hobbling about and I said to him 'mate are you good, we need you' and he said he was all right. I asked what was up with him and he reeled off about four things that were wrong with him and he said he was sweet.

"That's what you want from your team and it inspires the rest of us and for a young kid, he's only 23 so he's got so much improvement left in him.

"But he's been so good for us this year, mind you, he needs to get that hair cut."

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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