Raiders v Rabbitohs preview

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Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs Sunday 2:00pm at GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Many men look to celebrate milestones

The Canberra Raiders will celebrate a historic occasion against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday afternoon with Josh Papalii set to become the most-capped player in the history of the club.

Surpassing the record held by Jason Croker for nearly two decades, Papalii's achievement will be the centre of attention on an afternoon which will also see Corey Horsburgh and Matt Timoko bring up 100 games in first grade.

Returning to GIO Stadium buoyant after multiple come-from-behind victories on the road, the Canberra Raiders could finish the weekend on top of the premiership ladder with a victory.

Rallying from a ten-point deficit to defeat the Roosters 26-24 last Sunday, coach Ricky Stuart will welcome back Jamal Fogarty and Tom Starling from injury and suspension respectively, while Papalii has been named in jersey eight for his milestone match.

Prevailing in ten out of 14 clashes against the Rabbitohs under coach Stuart, including three of the past four contests held in Canberra, the Raiders' most famous victory during that period was in the 2019 preliminary final with Papalii scoring the winning try.

Heading to the nation's capital with much-needed enforcements in tow, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will have their sights set on spoiling the occasion for their high flying opponents.

Going down 36-30 to the Warriors last Sunday in a free-flowing try-fest, coach Wayne Bennett will be hoping the return of Cody Walker and Jack Wighton stiffens his side's defensive resolve.

Claiming their last win in Canberra during Bennett's first stint at the club back in 2021, second-rower Euan Aitken will celebrate his 200th NRL appearance at the scene of his debut a decade ago.

Last meeting: Round 21 2024 - Raiders 32 Rabbitohs 12

Who to watch: Running out in green for the 319th time on Sunday afternoon, Josh Papalii will be focussed on the job at hand as he becomes the most-capped player in Canberra history. Coming a long way from debuting back in 2011 on his 19th birthday, the Australian, Samoan and Queensland representative has been fundamental to the Raiders' resurgence over the past decade, offering impact as an edge, middle and interchange forward as needed.  Humbly stepping back from his role as a starting player to allow his younger teammates to lay a platform up front, Papalii's impact off the bench remains solid with just under 100 running metres and 20 tackles in 35 minutes of game time each week.

With NSW set to be forced into changes ahead of State of Origin II, second-rower turned prop Keaon Koloamatangi will be putting his hand up for a representative recall. Thriving in the middle of the field with well over 200 running metres in each of his past three matches, the 27-year-old Mascot junior has earned glowing praise for his form with and without the ball. Making one appearance for the Blues under Brad Fittler in 2023, a strong showing from Koloamatangi will go a long way towards ensuring his next game is in Perth in just over a fortnight.

Favourite: Riding high with their best start to a season since 2003, the Raiders are expected to celebrate in style. 

My tip: It would be understandable to think the Raiders are running on empty given their standing as the only team yet to have a bye this season. The Raiders have surpassed all expectations this season and they look set to do so once again on Sunday afternoon. Raiders by 12.

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders

1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 5. Isaiah Tass 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Jai Arrow 9. Siliva Havili 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Euan Aitken 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Sean Keppie 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Davvy Moale 19. Jye Gray 20. Tyrone Munro 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Jacob Host

Referees: Todd Smith; Sideline Officials: Dave Munro, Jarrod Cole; Video Referees: Chris Butler;