Warriors v Raiders: Niukore back from ban; Papali'i, Horsburgh return
The Warriors face a short turnaround when they take on the Raiders in back-to-back home games at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Friday night.
Both sides are well-placed in the top eight but can ill-afford a slip-up or two in the final six weeks of the season as they look to surge towards the top four.
The Warriors spoiled Jarrod Croker's 300th party only six weeks ago and coming off a bye it will be fresh in the mind of the Raiders, who have won their last three matches since going down in the nation's capital.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart was less than impressed with his side's efforts against the Dragons in Round 19 despite victory.
The Raiders have a kind draw at their disposal for the remainder of the regular season but will need to show more if they want to challenge the top teams come the finals.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
3rd Position
away Team
Raiders
5th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team news
Warriors: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Mitch Barnett moving into the starting side and Bunty Afoa going to the bench in his return from concussion. Bayley Sironen and Josh Curran came on to the bench on Thursday with Tom Ale dropping out and Freddy Lussick going to 18th Man. Marata Niukore returns from suspension.
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes. Canberra have received a triple boost with Josh Papali'i (hamstring), Corey Horsburgh (Origin) and Pasami Saulo (concussion) all back on deck. Ata Mariota goes back to the bench after playing prop in Round 19 and Matt Frawley goes to 18th Man.
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke MetcalfFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
-
Prop for Warriors is number 15 Mitchell BarnettProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Bayley SironenInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Josh CurranInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Freddy LussickReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Matt Frawley
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Warriors big man Addin Fonua-Blake has made more post-contact metres than any other player (1118).
- The Raiders will play in New Zealand for the first time since 2019.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 13 tries in his past eight games.
- The Raiders have won six consecutive away games.
- The Warriors are the highest scoring team since Round 14 (scored 210 points).
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
