Round 3: RAIDERS vs TITANS

[teke]

Transiting Hong Kong and missed most of this discussion but surely it's too early tone playing the "injury" card, that really craps me off. We have a club. We have depth and we have young blokes. Also as has been mentioned many times … Tighe plays right, Blair plays left (ask Bellamy, I did last Saturday night) … WTF?

exactly, it's similar to when we first got Jamal. Carty stuck him straight out of position into left centre.

[DavidBouveng]

An argument could be made that 5 of our 7 backline players are being played out of position, and at least two forwards.

Not or exactly following the 'aces in their places' rule of thumb.

[DIEHARD]

GIO Stadium Sunday 6:30pm (AEST)

Have you got a dictionary lying around? If you do, scour it for the word 'disappointment'. Does it mention anything about the Gold Coast Titans playing at Cbus Super Stadium last weekend? No? Well perhaps it should. The Titans were clearly not themselves on the weekend after capitulating to the might of the Wests Tigers. Captain Nate Myles screamed himself ho****, Greg Bird went down injured and coach John Cartwright couldn’t help but feel sorry for his side’s supporters after their 42-12 defeat to the wooden spoon favourites.

Unlike the Round 1 win over the Sharks, the Titans' defence failed to hold firm against the Tigers. While it’s only early in the season, the Titans will have to be extra careful moving forward in preventing a repeat performance in anyway reminiscent to their efforts in Round 2 – especially giving they are facing a red-hot Raiders side who are seeking redemption after the 36-zip pasting they copped the last time they met.

Canberra are currently playing like their lives depend on solid performances. Their well-balanced side is complemented by the class of fullback Anthony Milford, the level-headedness of captain and halfback Terry Campese and the obvious influence of new coach Ricky Stuart. With the Raiders having let in 20+ points in both of their games this season and losing lock Shaun Fensom (suspension) and Josh Papalii (ankle) for this week’s game, they’ll have to be wary of closing down a mobile Titans team.

In team changes, Maurice Blair is out for the Titans with Brad Takairangi to replace him, while Mark Minichiello returns after being kept out of last week’s game with a virus. While for the Raiders, David Shillington and Matt McIlwrick come into the side for Fensom and Papalii. It will be Shillington’s 100th appearance for the Canberra Raiders.

Watch Out Raiders: While the Gold Titans haven’t had the greatest of starts to 2014 there has been a bright spark in the form of Albert Kelly. Kelly, who has had his troubles previously, has really turned it on for the Titans this season. With two tries, two line-breaks, a try assist and an average of 232.2 metres per game to boot, Kelly is living up to the reputation he has had since coming into first-grade in 2010. With Kelly on song and his combination with five-eighth Aidan Sezer growing – the Raiders should be wary off a Gold Coast bounce-back. With names like Myles, Bailey, Douglas, Zillman, Bird and Harrison on their roster, the Titans have too good a side not to be competitive this week – especially in light of the performance they put forward last weekend.

Watch Out Titans: The Raiders' spine is getting stronger with each week. Terry Campese looks to be returning to such form not seen since he played State of Origin, Glenn Buttriss and Josh McCrone are playing admirably out of hooker while Jack Wighton is building to something special at five-eighth. As for Anthony Milford – we don’t need to tell you how good he is. His wizard-like two try assists and three line-breaks are basically keeping Canberra on the front foot.

Plays To Watch: Jack Wighton – who knew he had a kicking game – set up the Raiders first try last weekend with a pristine grubber into the in-goal before kicking a crucial 40/20 late in the game; Albert Kelly’s ability of making something out of nothing – for the second week in a row Kelly weaved his way through the defence of the opposition for several long-range runs and another runaway try; Paul Vaughan’s enormous impact off the interchange bench – for the second week in a row the Italian international has been unleashed off the bench with positives consequences for the Raiders, averaging 12 hit-ups for 150 metres and 24 tackles; Nate Myles – captain courageous – has smashed out 35.2 tackles per game from the front-row so far this season.

Where It Will Be Won: While the Raiders have been playing quite well this season, their opposition have been able to put on several point scoring plays against them throughout their opening two games. The Raiders are currently conceding on average a concerning 24 points per game in 2014. In an interesting plot twist, the Titans victory over the Sharks in Round 1 saw the side concede only two tries in a low-scoring 16-12 victory. Yet in Round 2, they opened the turnstiles and invited the Tigers in for 42 points. In what could prove to be a learning curve, both sides should be looking to prevent their opposition from crossing the white line as consistently as they have been to cement any chance of victory.

The History: Played 13; Raiders 5, Titans 8. It has been all one-sided in recent memory with the Titans winning four of their past five games against the Raiders. It is more likely than not that when these two sides go up against one another it involves a flurry of points. Despite all this, the Raiders were no match for the Titans in their last meeting in Round 2 last year – shut out of the contest 36-0.

What Are The Odds: Despite being opened as $1.53 favourites, money is 50/50 for the Raiders and Titans ($2.38) so far with Sportsbet.com.au. Punters aren’t going anywhere near the -4.5 line that’s currently on offer.

Match Officials: Referees – Gavin Badger & Brett Suttor; Touch Judges – Dave Ryan & Matt Noyen; Video Referees – Luke Phillips & Steve Folkes.

Televised: Fox Sports 1 – Live 6:30pm (AEDT).

The Way We See It: The Titans were absolutely miserable last week so this one should really be a no-brainer. However, rugby league is a funny game and weirder things have happened. The Raiders have been impressive so far this season and playing down in Canberra for the first time this year will only help the Green Machine. Raiders by 8 points.

Statistics: Champion Data.

http://www.nrl.com/

[DIEHARD]

ACT Brumbies and Canberra Raiders in rare double billing

They're joining forces for a $10 super ticket but the ACT Brumbies and Canberra Raiders want to avoid future cross-code clashes to maximise crowds and host stand-alone games in the capital.

The Brumbies and Raiders will both play in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday for the only time of their respective Super Rugby and NRL campaigns.

They usually avoid doubling up in Canberra on the same weekend to increase crowds, but they hope winning form draws in fans instead of splitting the capital in two.

The Brumbies are aiming for their fourth win in a row after an impressive start to their Super Rugby season.

Raiders legend Ricky Stuart will be hoping for a triumphant homecoming, in charge for his first game in Canberra after the Green Machine started its season on the road.

The Canberra crowd of more than 17,000 at the Brumbies clash against the NSW Waratahs was just 200 people short of setting a NSW-ACT benchmark last weekend across Super Rugby, A-League, NRL and AFL matches.

But the Brumbies admit they face the biggest crowd numbers challenge of their season as they attempt to pack the stands for their clash against the Cape Town Stormers, a traditionally low-drawing South African team.

The Brumbies have averaged more than 15,000 fans at two Australian derby home games this year, despite going head to head with rival events the Canberra Show and Skyfire.

But one of Super Rugby's toughest challenges is building tribalism and Brumbies general manager Simon Chester conceded hosting South African teams made it harder to draw big crowds.

"Last weekend, you had a guy like Israel Folau but I work in rugby and I don't know one Stormers player," Chester said.

"That's what's hard about it. People will watch Folau or [Kurtley] Beale because they can identify with them. NRL players get that exposure on free to air television.

"But with this ticket deal ... it's about trying to get those fringe supporters to come in and watch instead of going to the movies or ice skating."

The Brumbies and Raiders have shelved cross-code and cross-town rivalries to link with Canberra Milk for a cheap ticket offer this week.

The Brumbies play the Stormers on Saturday night, while the Raiders will aim for back-to-back wins when they play the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday night.

Both teams, led by club legends Stephen Larkham and Stuart, have shown enough to suggest they will be finals contenders this season.

But despite their winning form, Chester and Raiders commercial manager Jason Mathie said their preference remained avoiding schedule clashes to stretch out Canberra's winter season.

"Our preference would be to stay on different weekends ... that way you get something at Canberra Stadium every weekend instead of hitting it twice in two days," Chester said.

Stuart got his first win as Raiders coach when Canberra beat the Newcastle Knights last weekend.

The former champion halfback and three-time premiership player is trying to instil a new winning culture at the Raiders to rebuild the club after a horror 2013 season.

"I think it's great we've got both codes together, it's all about Canberra, the community and supporting local teams," Stuart said.

"I'm not going to get down and beg for people to come to the game ... I'm confident if we play the way we have the last two weeks, people will want to come and watch us play.

"Our passionate play is becoming quite normal and, over the last two weeks, has pleased me most as a coach."

The Brumbies had to be rebuilt after a woeful 2011 season, recruiting Jake White as coach and bringing in a host of new players to build a winning culture.

The Raiders started their rebuilding this year, signing Stuart as coach and overhauling the rugby league program.

"The big important thing for the Raiders is getting back to back wins, as it is with us," Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said.

"It's exciting to see how they go, they have a similar mix to us and it's great when both Canberra sides do well.

"When we had two guys in the sin bin last week [against the Waratahs], it was the crowd which got us home. With [the Brumbies and Raiders in form] you'd love to see big crowds again."

DUAL CODE TICKET OFFER

Super Rugby: ACT Brumbies v Cape Town Stormers, Saturday 7.40pm.

NRL: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans, Sunday 6.30pm.

To redeem the dual code general admission offer, collect six tokens from Canberra Milk cartons and get a discounted $10 ticket to either game at Canberra Stadium.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/c...#ixzz2wR2luAaM

[Hail Sezer]

Why is there so many Raiders articles in this thread? haha

Sezer is out, Harro in at five eighth. Wtf.

Source is Tony Webecks twitter

[amaline]

Why is there so many Raiders articles in this thread? haha

Sezer is out, Harro in at five eighth. Wtf.

Source is Tony Webecks twitter

He got the ball on the 5th tackle in good attacking position twice against the Tigers. One kick went out on the full, the other went into touch with no Titans near it.

[teke]

Harro to 5/8 lol.

This team is epic

[karnage]

So now we have second rowers at centre AND in the halves. Cartwright's vision for attacking Rugby League is complete...

[Bayside Titan]

Why wasn't Beau Henry selected at 5/8???? When called on last year played well for us. Another typical Carty pick.

[Coaster]

Oh My........

[Surfers66]

Yeah things are looking bad but this is when we sometimes play our best... Trying to be positive.

Just a question for Teke or anyone else that know the titans training schedule.

Last week we played at 2pm in the heat of the day, in the week leading up to that game did we train at 2pm in the heat of the day??? Do we practise in the condition we may be facing later on in the week???
Would the boys be training at 5.30 at night this week to try and make the training conditions as similar as it would be to game time???

[C-Whiz]

Yeah things are looking bad but this is when we sometimes play our best... Trying to be positive.

Just a question for Teke or anyone else that know the titans training schedule.

Last week we played at 2pm in the heat of the day, in the week leading up to that game did we train at 2pm in the heat of the day??? Do we practise in the condition we may be facing later on in the week???
Would the boys be training at 5.30 at night this week to try and make the training conditions as similar as it would be to game time???

I read in todays paper that the average weight loss across the team was 1.9kg!!! That sound pretty massive! The biggest loss was about 3.8kg or something. To be fair, that must take a huge toll on the body.

I think that's about what DB and HS drop to get shredded, just before they take to the stage in their fake tan and shiny g-bangers to pose for the judges....

Anyway, apparently Carty has given the boys an extra day off training to get their fluids back up.... or something like that.

Not that we need any extra training, we are awesome...

[DIEHARD]

Ohhhhhhh ****..........

[DIEHARD]

I'd way prefer Bird at 5/8th than Harrison.

[Blade07]

Will this create space for james to be in the 17