Round 8: New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders

[DIEHARD]

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders

Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday 2pm (AEST)

New Zealand Warriors

1 Lance Hohaia
2 Michael Crockett
3 Brent Tate
4 Ryan Shortland
5 Aidan Kirk
6 Michael Witt
7 Grant Rovelli
8 Sam Rapira
9 Nathan Fien
10 Evarn Tuimavave
11 Simon Mannering
12 Logan Swann
13 Micheal Luck (c)

14 Ian Henderson
15 Russell Packer
16 Epalahame Lauaki
17 Wairangi Koopu.

Canberra Raiders

1. Bronx Goodwin
2. Colin Best
3. Adrian Purtell
4. Joel Monaghan
5. Brett Kelly
6. Terry Campese
7. Todd Carney
8. Scott Logan
9. Lincoln Withers
10. Troy Thompson
11. Marshall Chalk
12. Nigel Plum
13. Alan Tongue (c).

14. Michael Dobson
15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
16. Joe Picker
17. Dane Tilse
18. David Milne
19. Ben Jones
(two to be omitted).

Warriors V Raiders Preview

Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday 2pm (AEST)

THE Warriors have made a habit of winning at home (3-0) and losing away (0-4) this year, which must comfort them coming into this tricky clash against the plucky Raiders.

Injury has been a curse for the Kiwi boys and now Ruben Wiki (hand) and Manu Vatuvei (leg) have been added to the casualty ward.

Ivan Cleary is reportedly down to his last fit 17 players but while the Raiders currently sit in ninth position, the 14th-placed Warriors will fancy their chances at keeping their 100 per cent 2008 home record intact.

Aidan Kirk comes onto the wing for Vatuvei while youngster Russell Packer comes onto the bench for Wiki.

With Todd Carney and Joel Monaghan playing for Country Origin on Friday night the Raiders will have a disrupted week leading into the game.

They have had the luxury of the bye last week but still have changes from their close loss to Melbourne in round six.

Brett Kelly comes onto the wing which sends David Milne to the bench. Alan Tongue returns to lock which sends Terry Campese back to five-eighth, Carney back to halfback and Michael Dobson back to the bench.

Lincoln Withers also returns at hooker sending Glen Butriss back to Queensland Cup while Troy Thompson starts and Dane Tilse goes back to the bench of six.

Watch out Warriors: Canberra centre Adrian Purtell is a better player than most give him credit for and the Warriors need to be on their guard against him.

The dynamic three-quarter averages 111 metres a game, has made six line breaks in as many games and has crossed the line for seven tries. With Carney creating space for him, Purtell should continue to add to his stats.

Watch out Raiders: Warriors? five-eighth Michael Witt played himself into some impressive form in last weekend?s loss to the Titans. Witt scored twice in the loss because he wasn?t afraid to take on the line so expect him to test out the Raiders? defence when opportunities arise.

With Vatuvei missing others need to step up and Witt has the fleet-footedness to be able to make breaks. His goal kicking success rate of 93 per cent is also helpful.

Also keep an eye on young Packer. A current Toyota Cup player, Packer has a big future in the NRL.

Where it will be won: Making the most of chances. Neither side can afford to let opportunities pass in this one. Both are at the bottom end of line breaks in the NRL so when the breaks come they need to ensure they capitalise.

For this to be the case each player must push up in support after doing their bit in a play. Too often players finish their role in attack and then pull up a little, leaving their mate high and dry if he breaks the line. Working off the ball is often more important than work with the ball.

The History: Played 21; Warriors 9, Raiders 12. The Raiders have won three of the past four between the clubs but the past four matches played at Mt Smart Stadium between the two teams have gone to the Warriors. The Warriors are also unbeaten at home this season.

Conclusion: Despite their injury woes the Warriors should still be good enough to dismantle the travelling Raiders. There is a sniff around town that Steve Price could make a comeback and if that happens they should really come away with the points. If he remains on the sidelines the others should be pumped to prove they can win without both Wiki and Price. But to totally dismiss the Raiders would be foolish; they have made a habit of surprising teams.

Match officials: Referee ? Sean Hampstead; Sideline Officials ? Steve Carrall & Gavin Reynolds; Video ref ? Steve Clark.

Televised: Foxsports 2 ? Live 2pm AEST

* Statistics: NRL Stats.

[Titans Rock]

Warriors are terrible when they are on the road so far this season but play very well at home, i think they will win this one against the Raiders

[Meh]

Warriors are terrible when they are on the road so far this season but play very well at home, i think they will win this one against the Raiders

I wouldn't be so sure this time.

Don't get me wrong, i still have faith in the team but they have lost all of their strike players bar Tate in order of ability.

1. Mckinnon
2. Price
3. Ropati
4. Vatuvei

I honsetly don't know where the points are going to some from but i hope the boys can pull together for a win at home at the very least.

[DIEHARD]

1. Mckinnon
2. Price
3. Ropati
4. Vatuvei

That's a lot of talent! This is a complete reversal of last year, when the Warriors were the only team not to have injuries at certain late stages in the season. Now they only have about 17 players left in their top squad.

But I'm confident they will blood some young Kiwi stars.

Now that we have beaten them, I can cheer them on in games again.

[Meh]

But I'm confident they will blood some young Kiwi stars.

You'd think so, wouldn't you...

The only thing Warriors fans have against Ivan Cleary is that he always seems to use the same 17 (hence the current problem) and seems to be anti-young kiwis and almost never gives them a run when he should. Look at Aiden Kirk on the wing, he is a Roosters reject utility. He's there at the expense of a specialist winger in the lower grades who from all accounts is killing it.

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Warriors at home, but the way my tipping is it will be a lucky guess.

[Titans Rock]

that is some lost talent but we know that there are some quality kiwi youngsters they will play which could be a key for them

[Meh]

Adien Kirk is out with a hamstring strain....

16 fit players in the Warriors squad and it's only round 8.

Even the juniors who would normally be making their debut in light of all these injuries are injured as well!

[Capital_Shark]

Raiders blew a fantastic opportunity to beat the Warriors. Not only were the Warriors missing some talent, but the conditions favored the Raiders. If they defended with some sting instead of running up and grabbing sleeves and collars they would have forced a lot more dropped ball. With the kicking games of Dobson, Carney and Campese they should have controlled that game and ground out a win.