Round 2: Warriors v Raiders preview
Nomadic Warriors look to improve against grand finalists
Following an unprecedented week in the history of rugby league, the New Zealand Warriors will begin life as nomads against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday afternoon.
Caught directly in the crossfire of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand Warriors will play as the ‘home' team on the Gold Coast after opting to remain in Australia due to quarantine laws enacted by the New Zealand Government just moments before their opening match of the season.
Being held to nil for the ninth time in the club's history last Saturday, coach Stephen Kearney will be demanding a more disciplined performance against last year's grand finalists after conceding 13 penalties in the 20-0 loss to Newcastle.
Naming Adam Keighran and Adam Pompey in the backline after Peta Hiku and Patrick Herbert opted to return to New Zealand to be with their families, Kiwi representative Isaiah Papalii will come off the bench in his 50th appearance for the club.
Producing the most impressive opening half of football of all 16 NRL clubs last Friday, the Canberra Raiders will be looking to start a season with back-to-back wins for only the second time in 15 years.
Leading the Titans 18-0 after 30 minutes before going on to prevail 24-6 at GIO Stadium, coach Ricky Stuart will be wary of the threat posed by his side's opponents having lost three of their past four meetings against the Warriors by four points or less.
Retaining the same 17-man squad that got the job done in round one, outside backs Curtis Scott and Michael Oldfield will celebrate their 50th appearances in the NRL.
Facing off at the Titans' home ground on Saturday afternoon, the Warriors hold a positive record at the venue with eight wins from 13 visits, while the Raiders have struggled over their past 12 visits to CBUS Super Stadium with just five victories.
Last meeting: Round 25 2019 - Raiders 20 Warriors 24
Who to watch: Scoring 16 points in an eye-catching debut twelve months ago, Warriors utility Adam Keighran will be determined to make the most of his unique recall to the first grade team. Coming into the squad in place of Peta Hiku - after the New Zealand international opted to return home to be with his pregnant wife - the 22-year-old playmaker will make his first NRL appearance in the centres on Saturday afternoon. Playing exclusively in the halves and off the bench in six appearances last season, the former Canterbury and Penrith lower grader will look to use his skills with the ball to get the Warriors on the board in 2020.
Emerging as one of the finest young forwards in the league to earn selection in the Australian Under 23s squad last season, Corey Horsburgh will be eager to continue his rapid development by establishing a place in the Raiders starting side. Named at lock following an inspired opening round performance complete with 125 metres, 37 tackles and four offloads, the 22-year-old Queenslander has endeared himself as the Raiders' favourite red head since club legend Alan Tongue. Contracted to the nation's capital until the end of 2022, look for Horsburgh to show little self-preservation with a barnstorming performance on the Gold Coast.
The favourite: Blowing their opponents off the park during the opening exchanges last week, the Raiders are expected to produce a similar performance on Saturday afternoon.
My tip: With the Warriors copping the full force of the upheaval created by COVID-19, it's hard to see the nomadic outfit competing against one of the premiership favourites. Raiders by 16.
