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Raiders v Titans: Saulo in for Papa; Sami a warm-up causality

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The Titans head to the national capital chasing a third win on the bounce and will certainly fancy their chances after taking down the high-flying Broncos on Sunday.

Even without skipper Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, who was rested after Origin II, the Titans forwards took the game up to the highly touted Broncos pack, laying the foundation for their classy backline to lay on some scintillating tries.

At the end of a tumultuous week in which the club parted ways with coach Justin Holbrook, the players dug deep to register their best win of the season, holding the Broncos to half their season average of 23 points per game.

That defensive resolve will again be tested against a Raiders outfit that laid on three tries in 12 minutes to blow the game open against the Roosters on Sunday.

With Seb Kris (234m) and Albert Hopoate (249m) running riot out of the back field and Corey Horsburgh (145m and 50 tackles) continuing his outstanding form, the Raiders made it three wins from their past four outings and again served notice they are a force to be reckoned with in 2023.

The afternoon time slot should ensure plenty of free-flowing football as two exciting attacking outfits match motors in Canberra.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Raiders v Titans

Team News

Raiders: Just one change from the 17 named on Tuesday, with Ata Mariota starting at prop and Pasami Saulo reverting to the bench. Experienced prop Josh Papali'i is sidelined with a hamstring problem. Centre Jarrod Croker is good to go after being cleared of concussion. 

Titans: After experiencing hamstring tightness during warm up, Phillip Sami dropped out of the side minutes before kick-off and was replaced by Jojo Fifita. The Gold Coast take the field otherwise as named mid-week, with captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui back after being rested in Round 17. Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran made a solid return from a toe injury and will be all the better for the run and will start at five-eighth.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana   Khan-Pereira
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
    Winger for Titans is number 18 Jojo Fifita
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Pasami Saulo
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Erin Clark
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Jaimin Jolliffe
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Nick Cotric
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Chris Randall

Reserves

  • Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Brad Schneider
    Replacement for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Raiders have won seven of their past eight games against the Titans.
  • Titans centre Brian Kelly has scored a try in his past three games against the Raiders.
  • The Raiders have won only two of their past five games at GIO Stadium.
  • Titans forward Joe Stimson will make his 100th NRL appearance.
  • Raiders winger Jordan Rapana has scored five tries in his past seven games against the Titans.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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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.