Raiders v Broncos: Sasagi returns; Hunt set to start
The Raiders did their part to keep the dream alive with a win over the Sharks last Saturday before the Eels upset the Cowboys to once again throw the race for eighth spot wide open.
Far from the dizzy heights of last year's minor premiership, the Raiders sit 12th with a 10-12 record, but wins over the Broncos (Round 25) and Cowboys (Round 27) together with two points from a Round 26 bye would get them to 30 competition points and possibly still in the mix.
And when it comes to falls from a dizzy height, 2025 premiers Brisbane have put up a miserable defence of their title and theoretically could still finish with the wooden spoon.
The Raiders and Broncos produced an epic qualifying final at this ground last September and while the stakes are considerably lower this time around, the chance to inflict more pain on a wounded rival will have both sides fired up.
Match: Raiders v Broncos
Round 25 -
home Team
Raiders
12th Position
away Team
Broncos
16th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Raiders: A boost for the Green Machine in their bid to stay alive in the finals race with centre Simi Sasagi back from a shoulder injury. Savelio Tamale goes to the bench. The loss of Morgan Smithies to a head knock will see Ata Mariota start at lock and Josh Papalii come into the starting side at prop in his final home game for the Raiders. Corey Horsburgh has earned a recall on the bench.
Broncos: Hayze Perham takes over at fullback with Reece Walsh suffering a season-ending syndesmosis injury against the Warriors. Perham lines up for his fifth NRL match of the season. Ben Hunt will start at halfback with youngster Tom Duffy moved to the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayze Perham
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jed StuartWinger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi SasagiCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew TimokoCentre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Broncos is number 5 Grant Anderson
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan SandersHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Broncos is number 8 Xavier Willison
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Owen PattieHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Jaiyden Hunt
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ata MariotaLock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Blake Mozer
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Joe RoddyInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Aublix Tawha
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Jack Gosiewski
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Daine LaurieInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Va'a Semu
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Vena Patuki-CaseInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Thomas Duffy
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Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Savelio TamaleInterchange for Broncos is number 19 Gehamat Shibasaki
Reserves
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Coby BlackReserve for Broncos is number 20 Ben Talty
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Sebastian KrisReserve for Broncos is number 21 Jesse Arthars
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Jayden BraileyReserve for Broncos is number 22 Luke Gale
Raiders Ins
- Coby Black
- Corey Horsburgh
- Jayden Brailey
- Simi Sasagi
Broncos Ins
- Ben Talty
- Hayze Perham
- Jesse Arthars
- Luke Gale
Raiders Outs
- Morgan Smithies
Broncos Ins
- Reece Walsh
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have scored an average of 35 points in their last four games at GIO Stadium.
- The Broncos have won four of their last six games against the Raiders.
- Raiders winger Jed Stuart has scored five tries in his last five games.
- Broncos second-rower Jack Gosiewski will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has won eight of his last nine games against Michael Maguire-coached sides.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
