Match Preview: NRL Round 2 vs Raiders

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Thu 14 Mar 2024, 10:00 PM

Wests Tigers kick off their 2024 season in Canberra on Saturday after having the bye in week one of the Telstra Premiership.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 16 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Wests Tigers

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Highlights Latest

It will be three weeks since Wests Tigers lost their Pre-season Challenge match against the Dragons in Mudgee, and nine days between games for the Raiders who kicked off their season with a 28-12 win in Newcastle.

It will be a huge day in the nation’s capital for two Wests Tigers players who are making their NRL debut.

A strong game from Galvin against the Dragons in Mudgee

Campbelltown junior Lachlan Galvin has earned the No. 6 jersey and will team up with Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with former Raiders star Aidan Sezer named on the bench.

Sezer, Sullivan and bench forward Samuela Fainu will be making their first NRL appearance for Wests Tigers.

Faataape in action against the Warriors in Christchurch

The other player making his NRL debut is former Queensland Cup star Solomona Faataape who joined the club on a development contract midway through pre-season. The Brisbane Easts junior will play in the centres in the absence of Justin Olam (knee).

Five players to make their Wests Tigers debut

The Raiders were impressive in Newcastle, their performance built off a superb kicking game from halfback Jamal Fogerty who was behind a dominant pack of forwards.

Controlled kicking game from Fogerty against the Knights

In team news for the Raiders, Sebastian Kris returns from suspension in the centres with Albert Hopoate shifting to the wing.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 16 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona Faataape
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden Sullivan

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Aidan Sezer
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Nick Cotric

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Asu Kepaoa

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:50 PM

Fast facts:

The Raiders have won their past seven games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers have won only one of their past six games at GIO Stadium.
Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana has scored 15 tries in 13 games against Wests Tigers.
As a player, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall won 11 from 12 games at GIO Stadium.
The Raiders have not achieved back-to-back wins since Round 19 last year.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will become only the seventh coach to notch 250 first grade victories if his team can topple the Tigers

Wests Tigers will have all three grades in action at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

The club's Jersey Flegg Cup team is coming off an impressive opening round victory over the Kaiviti Silktails

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 16 Mar

Full Time

Raiders

Wests Tigers

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Latest Team Stats

Wests Magpies will kick off their season against the Raiders in the Knock On Effect NSW Cup

Round 2 - Round 2 - Saturday 16 Mar

Full Time

Raiders