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Raiders v Bulldogs: Pack set to rotate; Napa back from ban

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The Raiders want a spot in the top four and the Bulldogs want to move into the top 15.

Both clubs still have plenty to play for over the final weeks of 2020, with their Round 16 meeting to provide each with a chance to move towards their goal.

As has been the case on many occasions this season, Canterbury put up a good fight last weekend but lacked the attacking nous needed to put up match-winning scores.

The Raiders, on the other hand, can start planning for the finals.

The Rundown

Team news

Raiders: Josh Papalii, Siliva Havili and Hudson Young have all been moved back to the bench an hour before kick-off with Ryan Sutton, Tom Starling and Joseph Tapine coming into the starting side.

Corey Harawira-Naera is out of the side and 20-year-old centre Matthew Timoko will debut from the bench.

Harley Smith-Shields and Matt Frawley were omitted from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. Sam Williams and Kai O'Donnell were the final cuts an hour before game time.

The Raiders have won five of their past six games against Canterbury.

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are 1-17. British recruit Luke Thompson plus Jack Cogger, winger Reimis Smith, centre Tim Lafai and bench players Jake Averillo and Sauaso Sue have all been left out of the side. In their places, Lachlan Lewis is at halfback, Marcelo Montoya at centre, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak wing, Dylan Napa is back from suspension at prop, Aiden Tolman at lock, Josh Jackson returns to an edge, Matt Doorey reverts to the bench and Renouf To'omaga and Dean Britt join the interchange.

Luke Thompson and Tim Lafai were the players cut from the reserves on Saturday. Jack Cogger and Reimis Smith were cut an hour before game time.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Will Hopoate
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Meaney
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Marcelo Montoya
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Kerrod Holland
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Dallin  Watene-Zelezniak
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Lewis

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Dunamis Lui
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Ofahiki Ogden
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy  Marshall-King
  • Prop for Raiders is number 16 Ryan Sutton
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 John Bateman
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Raymond  Faitala-Mariner 
  • Lock for Raiders is number 15 Joseph Tapine
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Aiden Tolman

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Sione Katoa
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 9 Siliva Havili
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Hudson Young
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Dean Britt
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Matthew Timoko
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Matt Doorey

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Jack Wighton v Kieran Foran: Wighton proves almost weekly that he is one of the best attacking players in the competition. Foran, meanwhile, is playing for his future over the next five weeks. A strong showing against the Raiders will only help his chances.

Stat Attack

Unless there is an amazing reversal over the final five rounds, the Bulldogs will complete a fourth straight season in which they've averaged fewer than three tries per match. They are scoring them at a rate of 2.33 a game so far in 2020.

 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.