Benji Marshall's coaching debut has ended with defeat, as the Canberra Raiders ran out 32-12 winners against the Wests Tigers.
The Raiders started the match well on top, with the Tigers unable to complete a set until the 11th minute of the match. In the meantime Jamal Fogarty tacked on a penalty goal, before a clean shift down the left hand side saw Danny Levi score. Even when the Tigers got possession Canberra were still rolling and Ethan Strange was able to make it a 14-0 lead within 15 minutes.
But the Tigers caught fire and brought the game back. First Lachlan Galvin, on his NRL debut, turned an outside-inside with Jahream Bula who offloaded to get Samuela Fainu his first NRL try. Then a set later Apisai Koroisau pounced on a quick play the ball to barge over the line and suddenly the game was back to 14-12
But the Raiders steeled and quick tries by Jordan Rapana and Xavier Savage extended their advantage back to 12 points by halftime, and a myriad of chances by the Tigers coming out of the break couldn't break their line.
A penalty goal extended the lead to 14 for the Raiders, and then Zac Hosking crossed for a try a short time later to put the game almost beyond doubt. But it was the Raiders tough defence that really sealed the win, repelling multiple sets inside their 10 in the last 15 minutes to secure the two points.
It's a great result for Canberra, who improve to 2-0 on the season. Heading into 2024 with outside expectations of being a wooden spoon chance, the Raiders are continuing to buck the trend and are building early momentum heading into a trip to New Zealand next week.
For the Tigers it's a tough but unsurprising start, and after their Round 1 bye it's still just their first match of the year. But it's straight out the frying pan and into the fire with a match against Cronulla next week