Matt Timoko has been named to make his NRL debut for the Canberra Raiders when they take on the Canterbury Bulldogs at GIO Stadium Canberra this Sunday evening, 30 August.
20-year-old Timoko will become Raiders #369 after being named on the bench and is the fourth Raider to make his NRL debut this season behind Kai O’Donnell, Semi Valemei and Harley Smith-Shields.
He has been named in the side to replace Corey Harawira-Naeara, who is unable to play against the Bulldogs as part of the deal when they released him to sign with the Raiders.
It is the only change to the side that defeated the Gold Coast Titans 36-16 last Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The 5th placed Raiders have racked up 74 points in the past two weeks and, with the race for the top 4 well and truly on, they will be looking to take care of the last placed Bulldogs side.
The Bulldogs have made a host of changes to their side that lost 20-14 to the New Zealand Warriors last Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
Halfback Lachlan Lewis has been named to return to partner Kieran Foran in the halves with Jack Cogger relegated to the extended bench once again.
Outside backs Tim Lafai and Remis Smith have been dropped for the returning Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, while Dylan Napa returns to start in the front row after serving a one-week suspension.
Englishman Luke Thompson has been rested after playing seven straight matches since coming over from England mid-season, while Jake Averillo has also been given a week off to clear up some niggling issues.
Full teams:
| Raiders | Bulldogs | ||
| 1 | Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | 1 | Willl Hopoate |
| 2 | Jordan Rapana | 2 | Nick Meaney |
| 3 | Jarrod Croker | 3 | Marcelo Montoya |
| 4 | Curtis Scott | 4 | Kerrod Holland |
| 5 | Nick Cotric | 5 | Dallin Watene-Zelezniak |
| 6 | Jack Wighton | 6 | Kieran Foran |
| 7 | George Williams | 7 | Lachlan Lewis |
| 8 | Josh Papalii | 8 | Ofahiki Ogden |
| 9 | Siliva Havili | 9 | Jeremy Marshall-King |
| 10 | Dunamis Lui | 10 | Dylan Napa |
| 11 | John Bateman | 11 | Josh Jackson |
| 12 | Elliott Whitehead | 12 | Raymond Faitala-Mariner |
| 13 | Hudson Young | 13 | Aiden Tolman |
| Bench | Bench | ||
| 14 | Tom Starling | 14 | Sione Katoa |
| 15 | Joe Tapine | 15 | Renouf To’omaga |
| 16 | Ryan Sutton | 16 | Dean Britt |
| 17 | Matt Timoko | 17 | Matt Doorey |
| Reserves | Reserves | ||
| 18 | Sam Williams | 18 | Luke Thompson |
| 19 | Harley Smith-Shields | 19 | Jack Cogger |
| 20 | Kai O’Donnell | 20 | Reimis Smith |
| 21 | Matt Frawley | 21 | Tim Lafai |
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