Round 14: Wests Tigers v Raiders preview
In form teams on the journey to the Summit
The in-form Wests Tigers will be looking to build on their strong mid-year revival when they take on the high flying Canberra Raiders to kick start Round 14 of the NRL season.
The Wests Tigers started the year like most campaigns that have gone before them. Losing their first six matches of the year, before starting to find their feet in the last month of football. Since their ANZAC Round defeat to Manly, the Tigers have only lost one of their last four matches and are producing an entertaining brand of football.
Last start saw the Tigers put 66 points on the board, something once thought of as impossible for a Tigers side. The challenge will be to produce that brand of champagne football on a weekly basis. Jahreem Bula has been the find of the year, finally solving the fullback conundrum while Luke Brooks has shown some renewed promise in recent matches, including a vintage display against the Cowboys. To beat Canberra, their forwards will again need to lift against a ruthless Raiders pack. Stefano Utoikamanu will be better from the Origin experience and will be desperate to crack the Blues 17, while Isaiah Papalii and John Bateman are finally beginning to show why the Tigers were keen for them to come across to the ‘Jungle'. Bateman will be out for revenge against his former Raiders team-mates in this one.
On the team front, Api Koroisau has been named to back-up at hooker less then 48 hours after game 1. Fonua Pole starts at lock with Joe Ofahengaue's departure with Alex Seyfarth coming into the side on the bench. Brent Naden and Daine Laurie are in the reserves as potential options shall Koroisau fail to recover in time for the Tigers.
For the Raiders, after a 53-12 loss in Round 5. Questions were rightly asked about the side and coach Ricky Stuart. Since then, they've been in red hot form albeit a slight hiccup against Manly a fortnight ago. However, the Raiders have showcased a vintage display of attacking football backed up by some ruthless defence which has made them a force in the 2023 Telstra Premiership.
Individual players to shine include Matt Timoko, who'll be looking to get himself involved after a quiet fortnight and Jamal Fogarty who continues to lead the team by example in their attacking structure. Elsewhere, their forwards are the heart and soul of the Raiders side. Joe Tapine and Josh Papali'i are shining playing expanded minutes but are getting maximum production. Corey Horsburgh has been the 2023 most improved forward, cutting out the niggle that made him, he's produced a solid season and will be knocking on the door of QLD selection. To beat the Tigers, a simple and productive game-plan to force the Tigers to come out of their own end and maintaining possession, will be enough to see the Raiders escape with the two competition points.
For Canberra, Jarrod Croker has been rested with the intention of him to return to play game 300 at home. Nick Cotric is a straight starter with Albert Hopoate shifting to centre. Jordan Rapana has been named but will need to pass concussion protocol, while Seb Kris is set to play despite picking up a knee issue. Hudson Young is named to back up from the Origin opener in the second row, taking the place of Corey Harawira-Naera who is recovering after suffering a seizure on the field last week. Matt Frawley is the new face on the bench.
Last meeting: Round 25 2022 - Wests Tigers 10 Raiders 56
Who to watch: After his early year demotion to NSW Cup. Starford To'a's 2023 season was nearly written off before it got started. However, after sheer determination. To'a is the in-form centre of the competition after his devastating points victory over Val Holmes last start. After amassing 5 line breaks in a dominating display, To'a will be looking to show it wasn't just a fluke performance when he goes up against another rising star in Matt Timoko on Friday night.
Across at Canberra, the blow torch is on Jack Wighton. Despite retiring from rep football and sorting his future with Souths next season, Wighton is still playing like there are other things on his mind. Canberra are winning games without a heavy reliance on Jack which is strange as he's always had a strong influence on Canberra victories. Wighton ran for a season low in running metres and failed to have a try contribution for the first time in a month. When Jack is at his best it's when he's got ball in hand causing all sorts of problems. Look for him to be involved in this clash.
Favourite: Given their recent record, the Raiders are overwhelming favourites with the bookies. At Campbelltown, the Tigers haven't beaten Canberra since 2014 when Braith Anasta sealed victory with a field goal.
My tip: Given both sides are in good form and with limited Origin interruptions. It should be a great game of football. The forward battle will be another good test for the emerging Tigers pack, but I see just enough class and quality in the Raiders that makes me think they'll escape with the competition points in an instant classic. Raiders by 2.
