Round 4: Canberra Raiders vs Gold Coast Titans

[DIEHARD]

Furner keen for early roll up front

Canberra coach David Furner insists ''team dynamics'' are the reason for demoting Kangaroos prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to the bench for Saturday's clash against Gold Coast at Canberra Stadium.

Learoyd-Lahrs will start on the pine for the crucial round-four match, with Dane Tilse taking his place in the starting line-up.

Travis Waddell has also been promoted to starting hooker, with Glen Buttriss shifting back to the bench.

Second-rower Trevor Thurling has been elevated to the starting line-up replacing Joe Picker, who will miss one to two weeks with a slight ankle injury.

The positional changes mean the Raiders boast two international props on their bench in Learoyd-Lahrs and Brett White.

Furner is hopeful the alterations to his front-row rotations will result in an improved start against the Titans, winless after three rounds.

The Raiders, themselves looking to snap a two-match losing streak after error-riddled displays against the Brisbane Broncos and Wests Tigers, have conceded the opening try in all three games so far this season.

''Our starts the last two weeks haven't been due to [a lack of] go forward, just a little bit of execution and ball control,'' Furner said.

''We're looking at the dynamics of the team and looking to change that. Our [front-row] rotation has been quite good and we have had that impact, but Tilse is a different player to Learoyd-Lahrs.

''With Tommy and Whitey coming off the bench they offer the team different styles, and I think that may suit.''

Canberra's slow starts to matches this season is in direct contrast to late last year, where it regularly dominated the opening 20 minutes of games to build big leads.

''We've done it [get off to fast starts] before and we need to do it this year as well,'' Furner said.

''It's not always the case you get on that roll [straight away], sometimes you have to fight to get back in the game.

''The last two games we've put ourselves in that position, but just a little bit of [a lack of] patience and discipline with the ball let us down.''

Furner has also stuck solid with halves duo Matt Orford and Josh McCrone, who failed to fire behind a beaten pack in last week's disappointing 34-24 loss to Wests Tigers.

The Raiders resisted the temptation to reinstate Toyota Cup playmaker Sam Williams, man of the match on NRL debut in round one against Cronulla.

After a number of players endured disrupted pre-seasons through injury, Furner was confident the back line combinations would soon fall into place.

Incoming halfback Orford played just his second match since May against the Tigers, and didn't feature in any pre-season trials due to an adductor injury.

''I think there's a number of positions we started a little bit behind,'' Furner said.

''In the trials we used different combinations with the halves, we didn't have our right edge of [Joel] Thompson and [Blake] Ferguson, and [Josh] Dugan only played one trial.

''That has played a part a little bit, and not being able to train with those players during the week.

''But if we're coming up with unforced errors, forward passes and dropped balls you're not going to give yourself much of a chance, regardless of how sharp you can be be when you complete.''

http://www.canberratimes.com.au

[teke]

Mate i think this a huge chance of happening this year & hopefully soon , Carty hinted that he would try the switch when i spoke with him in the pre-season

I would really love to see it happen. It's a sure thing that the backline would get the ball because captain would be barking orders to get his hands on the ball.

[DIEHARD]

Big Tom preaches discipline to the Raiders pack

Raiders prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs has placed the onus on himself and his fellow forwards to address their discipline issues after being outpointed by Brisbane and Wests Tigers.

Canberra boasts one of the NRL's best packs, but Learoyd-Lahrs conceded dropped ball and a lack of patience had negated its impact in the back-to-back losses.

Learoyd-Lahrs, an Australian regular, has been demoted to the bench in favour of Dane Tilse for Saturday's crucial home clash against Gold Coast.

Canberra completed just 19 of 29 sets in last week's loss to the Tigers, the Raiders forwards forced to get through plenty of defence as a result.

''We're not making any excuses for ourselves,'' Learoyd-Lahrs said yesterday.

''They [the Tigers] had a lot of ball and [as a result] they're fresh and in your face, but we brought that on ourselves.

''Certainly they [the opposition packs] have had the wood on us the last two weeks and we've got to turn it around.

''With the blokes we've got here, it shouldn't be happening.''

After two disappointing defeats, the 25-year-old admitted changes were inevitable.

But he was determined to accept the challenge posed by coach David Furner and regain his starting place sooner rather than later.

''Obviously I do want to start, I consider myself a starting front-rower,'' Learoyd-Lahrs said.

''Most players would be lying if they said they didn't want to start.

''My form has been steady, I don't think I've been playing poorly.

''There's a challenge there and I know I'm equal to it.

''I just have to work hard, put my head down and bum up.''

The Raiders' front-row rotations have been altered in an effort to address the side's slow starts to matches this season.

Learoyd-Lahrs declared the solution to the problem was simple completed sets.

''When you start games turning over possession and defend for the first 10 minutes, it sucks up a lot of juice,'' he said.

''The side we have, with a lot of big and powerful guys, that sometimes can nullify a bit of your impact.

''They [Gold Coast] have got threats all over the field, like the Tigers, and if we don't [complete sets] we'll find ourselves in a similar position.''

Furner hinted he may adopt a horses-for-courses approach when deciding which front-rowers start games this season based on the opposition and the side's requirements.

Canberra boasts arguably the best prop rotation in the game in Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington, Brett White and Tilse.

''Our front-rowers are all starting [quality] front rowers, and there will be a rotation there depending on which side we play and how it suits our team,'' he said.

''We're just looking at the dynamics of the team and a bit [more] of an impact at the start of the game.''

Travis Waddell will start at hooker against the Titans for the first time this season after impressing Furner off the bench against the Wests Tigers.

Waddell is keen to make the most of his opportunity this time around after an injury-interrupted finish to last year.

''When I got injured [last year] I was starting and playing good footy, but now I've got another chance I'm focussing on that and not worried about last year,'' Waddell said.

The 21-year-old is relishing the chance to further develop his partnership with halves Matt Orford and Josh McCrone.

''Matty's a new player to the club and we're still working out our combinations, but it's getting there slowly,'' he said.

NRL ROUND 4

CANBERRA RAIDERS v GOLD COAST TITANS

Saturday at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm

Tickets available through Ticketek

TV Time: Live on Fox Sports 2

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/

[DIEHARD]

About to head off to Canberra. Let's do this! I have faith! Time to win in Canberra!

[Tamwelg]

Hope your trip to Canberra is better the Melbourne trip.

[lonegull]

just heard on the radio that prince didnt finish training today and is an unlikely starter for the titans, hamstring or back problem they said

[Tamwelg]

just heard on the radio that prince didnt finish training today and is an unlikely starter for the titans, hamstring or back problem they said

Prince gives Titans injury scare
Luke Turgeon April 1st, 2011

TITANS skipper Scott Prince has thrown an injury scare through the Gold Coast camp ahead of tomorrow's clash with Canberra, after limping from the training paddock at Robina this morning.

Prince left the field about 20 minutes before the end of the session to seek treatment, with coach John Cartwright later confirming he is in doubt to tackle the Raiders.

The Titans are still trying to determine the nature of Prince's

At this stage it appears to be either a back problem or a hamstring strain.

Prince will still travel with teammates to Canberra this afternoon, with the Titans to check on his injury again tomorrow before deciding whether or not he will play.

Www.goldcoast.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Raiders v Titans preview
Saturday 5.30pm - Canberra Stadium

If anything is for certain in the first game of this week?s Super Saturday clashes, it is that complacency won?t be a problem for either of these two teams who will be desperate to reverse their recent form before their seasons get away from them.

The Raiders flattered only to deceive in their Round 1 trampling of the Sharks, having been thoroughly outplayed by both Brisbane and Wests Tigers since.

The Titans actually haven?t been as bad as their current last-placed billing would suggest. They were outplayed but not outclassed against a clinical Dragons outfit in Round 1 and beat Brisbane everywhere but on the scoreboard last week, although they would prefer to forget about their drubbing from the Storm in between.

It?s already a long road back for the Titans though ? no team has ever won a comp after being placed last after three rounds. The ?best? (if you can call it that) was the 1989 Raiders outfit that went on to win after being 13th at the same stage.

Coach John Cartwright has had to make one injury-enforced change as the Titans search for their first win of the season ?Ashley Harrison has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Ben Ridge will start at lock in his first appearance of the year after playing four games at the end of 2010. Matt White also rejoins the side and will start at prop, meaning Anthony Laffranchi goes back to the second row and Michael Henderson goes back to a five-man bench.

Canberra coach David Furner seems to have lost patience with his side?s slow starts, bringing prop Dane Tilse into the starting side and relegating Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to the bench, where he is joined by hooker Glen Buttriss, who will sit out the opening exchanges as Travis Waddell starts in his place.

The only enforced change results from an ankle injury to second-rower Joe Picker. Trevor Thurling starts in his place, and Danny Galea and Josh Miller are added to the squad.

Scott Prince ? who is one of just seven players left in the NRL to have played against the Gold Coast club in their previous incarnation as the Chargers ? is just three points shy of becoming the first player to notch 500 points for any Gold Coast club.

Watch Out Titans: Raiders off-season recruit Blake Ferguson has started the season with a bang for his new club. His five tries is the most in the league so far, and he has joined Craig Bellamy (1985) and Ruben Wiki (1994) as the only Raiders players in history to score five tries after three rounds, needing one more to match Bellamy?s unique record of six in the opening month for the Green Machine.

He is one of just two players (Billy Slater is the other) to have scored two tries from inside his own half this season.

The Titans have conceded four long-range tries, which is equal most in the league so far, which will perfectly suit Ferguson, not to mention Josh Dugan who will have blown the cobwebs out with a solid run last week. Both players love to get going in space and the Titans have already shown a tendency to struggle in this department.

Danger Sign: When you see Ferguson and Dugan drop back on the Titans? fifth tackle in mid-field position you can bet they?re both thinking the same thing: grab the ball, wind up and find some holes in any half-hearted kick-chase!

Watch Out Raiders: The last time a Gold Coast team was rooted to the foot of the table they were known as the Chargers. There are some fierce competitors on this team who will want nothing more than to start notching some wins for their club ? none more than proud skipper and crafty halfback Scott Prince, or burly prop Luke Bailey.

Prince?s 25 try assists in 2010 were second to only Panther Luke Walsh, while Bailey?s 125 metres per game was the fourth best of any forward. Bailey has aimed up further this year, so far averaging a massive 139 metres per game, the fourth best among forwards, but Prince has so far been off his game.

With Bailey guaranteed to churn out big metres and drag his side into good field position look for Prince?s passes and kicks to start hitting their mark. The Titans aren?t too far away from turning it all around ? they?re too good not to.

Danger Sign: It?s time for Prince to pull out something special. Look for a banana kick to bend its way onto the chest of a leaping David Mead, or a short ball switch to put Greg Bird through a hole close to the line.

Plays To Watch: A rampaging Learoyd-Lahrs taking no prisoners as he looks to earn back his starting spot; Greg Bird pushing his way through the line and offloading to a speeding Will Zillman; Raiders backs launching searching long-range runs at the Titans defence; pinpoint short kicks from Prince causing havoc close to the Raiders? line; and Shaun Fensom and Anthony Laffranchi trying to outdo each other in the ?most tackles? department.

Where It Will Be Won: The first 20 minutes. Now, we all now it?s the team that?s in front after 80 that gets the chocolates, but it?s the way these two teams have been starting games that has been causing them problems.

David Furner has taken the initiative here by reshuffling his starting pack in an attempt to have more impact in the early stages. The Raiders came home with a wet sail against a depleted Tigers and could have got the win if they hadn?t started so poorly. They have conceded an early try in every game so far (even in their Round 1 victory over the Sharks) and need to repair this because it?s not good enough against top teams.

The Titans conceded an early try in their first two losses and are actually yet to score in the first 20 minutes in any game this year. If they?d taken their early opportunities against Brisbane they could have put the game out of reach of the Broncos.

If one of these sides gets out to a 12-nil lead at the 20-minute mark, it could be all over.

The History: Played 8: Canberra 4, Gold Coast 4. It?s a pretty simple formula here: the Raiders have won all four games at Canberra Stadium, the Titans have won all four match-ups at Skilled Park. Neither of these sides much enjoys playing in the other?s backyard ? will the 100 per cent home side win rate continue this Saturday in the nation?s capital?

Conclusion: Neither team takes much form into this weekend?s clash but if the opening three rounds have taught us anything it?s that form doesn?t count for a whole lot once the players are out on the park.

Both sides played very well for periods last week and showed they have match-winning potential if they can put it all together for 80 minutes.

If nothing else the incredible home side bias between these two clubs has us leaning towards the Green Machine.

Match Officials: Referees ? Steve Lyons & Matt Cecchin; Sideline Officials ? Steve Carrall & Adam Reid; Video Ref ? Paul Simpkins.

Televised: Fox Sports ? Live 5.30pm.

* Statistics: NRL Stats.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

Preview: Raiders v Titans

An injury to lock Ashley Harrison may have eased a selection headache for coach John Cartwright in his effort to introduce some youth to his starting forward pack.

In the wake of three successive defeats the pressure was mounting on Cartwright to change his line-up and questions were beginning to be asked about his aging forward pack. The six that took on the Broncos last Friday night averaged close to 29 years in age and gave away almost five years per man to their Brisbane counterparts.

The senior status of his forward division was acceptable in 2010 when it was delivering regular victories but this season the results have not been forthcoming.

So Harrison's enforced lay-off has allowed Cartwright the opportunity to blood former Australian Schoolboy Ben Ridge in the starting line-up for Saturday night's trip to Canberra. The 21-year-old will have an opportunity to cement a place in the back row while Harrison recovers from a hamstring injury.

The Titans will be battling history when they take on the Raiders. Since they first met the Raiders in 2007 the team playing at home has won every game. And even more damning, no Gold Coast team has ever won in the national capital.

Look to a Canberra try as First Scoring Play and a Raiders' victory by 13+ points.

Players to circle for First Tryscorer include Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson and Daniel Vidot for the Raiders or Steve Michaels or William Zillman for the Titans.

Canberra v Gold Coast
Canberra Stadium
Saturday night 5.30pm

Canberra Raiders
1 Josh Dugan, 2 Blake Ferguson, 3 Jarrod Croker, 4 Joel Thompson, 5 Daniel Vidot, 6 Josh McCrone, 7 Matt Orford, 8 Dane Tilse, 9 Travis Waddell, 10 David Shillington [c], 11 Trevor Thurling, 12 Bronson Harrison [c], 13 Shaun Fensom. Subs: 14 Glen Buttriss, 15 Josh Miller, 16 Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, 17 Brett White, 18 Danny Galea (one to be omitted).

Gold Coast Titans
1 William Zillman, 2 Steve Michaels, 3 Esikeli Tonga, 4 Bodene Thompson, 5 David Mead, 6 Greg Bird, 7 Scott Prince [c], 8 Luke Bailey, 9 Riley Brown, 10 Matthew White, 11 Anthony Laffranchi, 12 Mark Minichiello, 13 Ben Ridge. Subs: 14 Michael Henderson, 15 Sam Tagataese, 16 Ryan James, 17 Preston Campbell, 18 Brad Meyers (one to be omitted).

Prediction:
Matthew O'Neill: Titans by 2

Total Games: 24
Canberra Raiders wins: 18. [Pts: 637]
Gold Coast Titans wins: 6. [Pts: 302]
Draws: 0

Biggest wins:
Canberra Raiders: 50 pts: 1995 Australian Rugby League - Round 20 - [View] Sun Aug 13: Raiders 56 d. Gold Coast 6 [Crowd: 14031]
Gold Coast Titans: 20 pts: 2010 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 3 - [View] Sat: Gold Coast Titans 24 d. Canberra Raiders 4 [Crowd: 11521]

Biggest Crowd: 2009 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 6 - [View] Fri: Gold Coast Titans 16 d. Canberra Raiders 10 [Crowd: 18510]

http://www.rleague.com/

[DIEHARD]

Raiders need to lift at home

CANBERRA RAIDERS v GOLD COAST TITANS
Canberra Stadium, Saturday April 2 at 5.30pm
Referees: Steve Lyons & Matt Cecchin

WHAT?S AT STAKE
The Raiders have been below their best the past two weeks and will be keen to make amends against the Gold Coast Titans this weekend in front of a big home crowd. The Raiders have reshuffled their starting side with Travis Waddell and Dane Tilse set to start, while Trevor Thurling gets his chance in the starting side with injury to Joe Picker.

STATS BOX

HEAD TO HEAD

Played 8, Canberra 4, Gold Coast 4

AT CANBERRA STADIUM

Played 4, Canberra 4, Gold Coast 0

LAST 8 CLASHES

2010 - CANBERRA 28 d. GOLD COAST 24 at Canberra Stadium;
GOLD COAST 24 d. CANBERRA 4 at Skilled Park.

2009 - CANBERRA 34 d. GOLD COAST 28 at Canberra Stadium;
GOLD COAST 16 d. CANBERRA 10 at Skilled Park.

2008 - CANBERRA 46 d. GOLD COAST 4 at Canberra Stadium;
GOLD COAST 32 d. CANBERRA 12 at Skilled Park.

2007 - CANBERRA 56 d. GOLD COAST 10 at Canberra Stadium;
GOLD COAST 28 d. CANBERRA 8 at Gold Coast Stadium.

Biggest Head-To-Head Wins

CANBERRA 56 d. GOLD COAST 10 at Canberra Stadium, 2007.
GOLD COAST 28 d. CANBERRA 8 at Gold Coast Stadium, 2007.

MATCH-UPS

Josh Dugan ? William Zillman
Dugan returns home this weekend to play his first game at Canberra Stadium for 2011. Dugan showed glimpses of his talent last weekend against the Tigers and will be better for his first run of the season. His opponent Zillman is a dangerous player and is no stranger to the turf of Canberra Stadium.

Blake Ferguson ? Steve Michaels
Ferguson is fast gaining fans among the Raiders faithful and has scored an incredible five tries in three matches this season. His ability to find the tryline is something the Raiders will try to feed as much as possible. Michaels showed last weekend he?s a tremendous talent scoring a superb solo try. He possesses lightning pace and good footwork.

Travis Waddell ? Riley Brown
Waddell gets his chance to start this weekend and will be looking to get the Raiders forwards rolling down the centre of the field. He needs to provide good crisp service from dummy half and if he can, it will benefit his team immensely. Brown is a smart hooker who is doing a solid job filling in for regular nine Nathan Friend.

HE SAID IT ? with Travis Waddell
?I?m really looking forward to getting my chance to start the game and I can?t wait to get out there Saturday afternoon.?

WORTH NOTING

* The Raiders have never lost to the Titans at Canberra Stadium.
* Josh Dugan plays his first home game of the season
* Trevor Thurling, Travis Waddell and Dane Tilse will start for the first time this year
* The Raiders Toyota Cup kicks off against the Titans at 3.15pm

http://www.raiders.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Funny how every time we meet the Raiders, it is the home team that wins.

Let's hope that we can break this record!

[DIEHARD]

Michaels another Can-Do Campbell

TITANS coach John Cartwright has paid Steve Michaels the ultimate compliment by comparing his effect on the team to that of inspirational veteran Preston Campbell.

Michaels was a standout in last week's narrow loss against the Broncos, with his fearless kick returns a highlight on a night that ended badly for the Gold Coast.

Shifted to the wing in a backline reshuffle, Michaels added impact from the back, showing no sign of self-preservation as he attempted to spark the Titans attack.

"He is a tremendous player," Cartwright said.

"The side gets a lot out of the way he plays.

"He is a bit like Preston, there is not a lot of him but he is all heart. He is a very passionate player.

"He was playing against his old club last week, so there was a bit extra in the game for him and he probably felt it a bit more than most when we didn't get a result."

As well as crossing for the Titans' only try against the Broncos -- a cracking solo effort polished with a clever chip-and-chase -- Michaels finished with the most metres (182m), five tackle busts and two line breaks.

Michaels has been named on the flank tomorrow against the Raiders, with Esi Tonga suiting up in the centres in his second game back from a horror 18-month run with injury.

A Justin Hodges try down the Titans' left side proved the difference last weekend and the task doesn't get any easier for Tonga and Michaels against the Raiders, opposite try-scoring machine Blake Ferguson and Joel Thompson.

Ferguson is the leading try-scorer in the NRL, with five from the first three rounds.

He is also one of just two players, the other being Storm fullback Billy Slater, to score two tries from inside his own half this season.

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au

[Blazertaser]

Preview: Raiders v Titans

Prediction:
Matthew O'Neill: Titans by 2

Total Games: 24
Canberra Raiders wins: 18. [Pts: 637]
Gold Coast Titans wins: 6. [Pts: 302]
Draws: 0

Biggest wins:
Canberra Raiders: 50 pts: 1995 Australian Rugby League - Round 20 - [View] Sun Aug 13: Raiders 56 d. Gold Coast 6 [Crowd: 14031]
Gold Coast Titans: 20 pts: 2010 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 3 - [View] Sat: Gold Coast Titans 24 d. Canberra Raiders 4 [Crowd: 11521]

Biggest Crowd: 2009 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 6 - [View] Fri: Gold Coast Titans 16 d. Canberra Raiders 10 [Crowd: 18510]

http://www.rleague.com/

I think they've made a mistake here

[DIEHARD]

RLEAGUE likes to use the records of the old Gold Coast teams - Giants, Seagulls and Chargers and combines them with the Titans.

Confusing I know!

[Tamwelg]

Just a quick update on @scottprince7 he has travelled to Canberra and a decision on his fitness will be made prior to kick off. #gctitans
web ? 1/04/11 16:10

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