Raiders v Rabbitohs: Croker, Papalii to miss; Tatola ruled out
The Raiders have only had one win at home to date so will be looking for the GIO Stadium faithful this Thursday to help lift them free of a form slide.
Canberra won't want a fourth loss in a row to push them even further away from the top eight, but that's going to be a challenge up against the high-flying Rabbitohs.
Wayne Bennett's side is sitting cosily inside the top four with the second-best attacking record in the NRL by a single point - and were the first team to pass 200 points in 2021.
Raiders v Rabbitohs
Match: Raiders v Rabbitohs
Round 8 -
home Team
Raiders
9th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The rundown
Team news
Raiders: Canberra will start 1-17 with Matt Timoko the 18th man. Sia Soliola was the player dropped from the squad an hour before kick-off.
Recalled Kiwi international Joseph Tapine returns for a rested Josh Papalii. Sebastian Kris replaces Jarrod Croker (shoulder) in the centres.
Matt Frawley and Dunamis Lui were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off.
The Raiders have won six of their past eight games against the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs: Rugged forward Tevita Tatola will be rested after failing a final HIA protocol test on Wednesday. Jai Arrow comes into the starting side and Patrick Mago joins the bench.
Dean Hawkins was the other player to drop out of the squad on Wednesday and Hame Sele was omitted an hour before kick-off. Steve Marsters will be the 18th man.
Benji Marshall has won 10 of 11 games at GIO Stadium.
Match: Raiders v Rabbitohs
Round 8 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Caleb AekinsFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Cody Walker
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Sebastian KrisCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis ScottCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack WightonFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Benji Marshall
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 17 Hudson YoungHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Ryan JamesProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Thomas Burgess
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Emre GulerProp for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jai Arrow
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan SuttonLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva HaviliInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark Nicholls
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Joseph TapineInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Liam Knight
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Jacob Host
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Iosia SoliolaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 20 Patrick Mago
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Matthew TimokoReserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Steven Marsters
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jack Wighton v Benji Marshall: The Raiders No.6 will be looking for a massive game to help Canberra break a three-game losing streak and keep his name front and centre in Blues coach Brad Fittler's thinking for Origin One. The evergreen Marshall is proving the bargain buy of 2021 and his performance against the Titans was out of the top drawer. Wighton has been one of several Raiders below their best in recent weeks but if he finds his best then the Bunnies defence will have their hands full.
Stat attack
The Raiders have won seven of their past 10 against the Rabbitohs with the two most recent wins being in Canberra.
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