19 C
Canberra
Friday, March 29, 2024

Raiders make three changes for Eels blockbuster


The Canberra Raiders have made three changes for their blockbuster clash against the Parramatta Eels on Thursday night at Cbus Super Stadium.

Star five-eighth Jack Wighton will miss at least one match with a rib injury and has been replaced by Matt Frawley for his second NRL game this season. Frawley’s only game so far this season was two weeks ago against Manly where he played a crucial role in the side’s victory.

Young gun Xavier Savage was dealt a cruel blow, suffering a season ending shoulder injury during his outstanding performance at fullback in the Raiders 34-18 victory over Cronulla last week. In his absence, Jordan Rapana has shifted to fullback with Harley Smith-Shields coming in for his first game this season on the wing.

Matt Timoko has been named on the bench with Ryan James dropping out of the 17. Co-captain Elliott Whitehead will miss another match with a shoulder injury.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said he felt for Savage but knows he’ll get another crack.

“I really feel for Xavier as he has worked extremely hard since last November to get to play NRL,” Stuart said.

“His commitment to hard work got him his start and I know that attitude will get him back there.”

Meanwhile, the Eels have welcomed back Junior Paulo to the front row while Blake Ferguson returns on the wing. Mitchell Moses is out indefinitely with a broken back with Jake Arthur to play halfback.

Raiders and Eels team lists

Raiders Eels
Jordan Rapana1Clint Gutherson
Harley Smith-Shields2Maika Sivo
Jarrod Croker3Will Penisini
Seb Kris4Waqa Blake
Semi Valemei5Blake Ferguson
Matt Frawley6Dylan Brown
Sam Williams7Jake Arthur
Josh Papalii8Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Josh Hodgson9Reed Mahoney
Emre Guler10Junior Paulo
Corey Harawira-Naera11Isaiah Papali’i
Hudson Young12Ryan Matterson
Ryan Sutton13Nathan Brown
Bench Bench
Tom Starling14Marata Niukore
Matt Timoko15Shaun Lane
Sia Soliola16Oregon Kaufusi
Joe Tapine17Will Smith
Reserves Reserves
Caleb Aekins18Haze Dunster
Ryan James19Bryce Cartwright
Siliva Havili20Makahesi Makatoa
Trey Mooney21Joey Lussick

More Stories

Canberra game to plant Roots in national video game scene

Roots was one of the two Canberra video games to receive funding from Screen Australia Emerging Gamemakers Fund and Games Production Fund.
 
 

 

Latest

canberra daily

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CANBERRA DAILY NEWSLETTER

Join our mailing lists to receieve the latest news straight into your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!