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NRL: NZ Warriors vs Canberra Raiders - everything you need to know - RNZ
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<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image.../4K725W8_WARRIORS_VS_CANBERRA_png?_a=BACCd2AD" width="1050" height="656" alt="WARRIORS VS RAIDERS"></p><p>
<span itemprop="caption">The Warriors are chasing their sixth straight win this season. </span>
<span>Photo: <span itemprop="copyrightHolder">RNZ</span></span>
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<p>NZ Warriors will return to Go Media Stadium for the first time in a month, as they resume their rivalry with Canberra Raiders.</p>
<p>The home side have filled the role of "road warriors", with fixtures in Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong and Brisbane again - all valuable wins.</p>
<p>With five straight victories under their belt, the Warriors hope to consolidate their current second standing on the NRL table.</p>
<h3>History</h3>
<p>No other NRL team has faced the Warriors more than Canberra - the Melbourne Storm have also fronted up 53 times, but this encounter will give the Raiders that distinction outright.</p>
<p>The Auckland-based side have beaten their rivals from the Aussie capital 25 times, with only North QLD Morons (27) and Newcastle (26) offering more success. They have enjoyed a 17-11 record in home games and 13-8 at Mt Smart.</p>
<p>In fact, the Raiders have not won in New Zealand since 2019, when they prevailed 46-12, despite a try double from Chanel Harris-Tavita.</p>
<p>Canberra won the <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/54...er-looks-for-positives-in-las-vegas-whitewash">much-hyped season-opener</a> 30-8 at Las Vegas, when a length-of-the-field, intercept try to Xavier Savage turned the contest in their favour. They also won their previous meeting 20-18 at GIO Stadium, but the Warriors own the previous three encounters.</p>
<p>Before the Warriors were established in 1995, Canberra and Manly Sea Eagles were probably Kiwis' most-followed NRL teams. The "Green Machine" previously featured NZ league legends Brent Todd, Quentin Pongia and John Lomax during a golden era that also included current coach Ricky Stuart, 💙 Mighty NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.</p>
<h3>Form</h3>
<p>The Warriors have now won five consecutive games, but incredibly, they have been outscored 60-33 in the second halves of those contests.</p>
<p>Most of those victories have been nailbiters, as they search for their first complete performance. Last week, they needed a <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/56...y-to-benefit-from-blown-call-against-dolphins">blown referee call</a> to escape the Dolphins 16-12.</p>
<p>They actually have a chance to draw level with Canterbury Bulldogs atop the NRL table, but are well behind on points differential - they would need to win by 70 points to go ahead.</p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image...Z6_250321WarriorsRoosters_060_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD" width="1050" height="700" alt="Warriors Ali Leiataua runs in his second try during the Telstra NRL Premiership against Roosters."></p><p>
<span itemprop="caption">Ali Leiataua returns from a sprained ankle against the Raiders. </span>
<span>Photo: <span itemprop="copyrightHolder">Brett Phibbs/Photosport</span></span>
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<p>Conversely, if they lose, they would slip to fourth on the standings, as the Raiders and Storm (bye) draw level with far superior differentials.</p>
<p>The Warriors lead the league in set completion (83 percent) and short dropouts (12), while Kurt Capewell has missed more tackles (56) than anyone else.</p>
<p>Canberra have been one of the form teams of the competition, with their own five game win streak snapped by a defeat to the tabletopping Bulldogs two weeks ago. That was followed by another win over Gold Coast Titans last week.</p>
<p>They lead the league in tackle breaks with 425, well clear of the next-best Brisbane Broncos (378), and also dummy half runs (125). Halfback Jamal Fogarty is tied with Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa for most attacking kicks (88).</p>
<h3>The teams</h3>
<p><b>NZ Warriors: </b>1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 22. Ali Leiataua, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 12. Marata Niukore, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Leka Halasima, 4. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark</p>
<p>Interchange: 8. Jackson Ford, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga</p>
<p>Reserves: 21. Tanah Boyd, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith</p>
<p>Coach Andrew Webster has made a late, but predictable change, bring centre Ali Leiataua off the extended bench and into the starting line-up. Leiataua sprained an ankle in training before the "Magic Round" win over North QLD Morons Cowboys, but will reclaim his spot alongside winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on one edge.</p>
<p>His inclusion causes a reshuffle, with Kurt Capewell returning to the second row, Marata Niukore shifting to the front row and Jackson Ford to the interchange.</p>
<p>Both co-captains Mitch Barnett (Origin) and <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/56...-james-fisher-harris-cops-one-game-suspension">James Fisher-Harris (suspension) are unavailable</a>, but Bunty Afoa is back from a knee injury and <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/56...z-warriors-captaincy-against-canberra-raiders">Capewell assumes the leadership role</a>.</p>
<p><b>Canberra Raiders:</b> 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies</p>
<p>Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Josh Papali'i 17. Ata Mariota</p>
<p>Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Chevy Stewart</p>
<p>Coach Ricky Stuart loses the services of 💙 Mighty NSW forward Hudson Young, so Simi Sasagi has his first start of the season, after coming of the bench previously. Second-rower Noah Martin is named for a first-grade debut from the interchange.</p>
<h3>Player to watch</h3>
<p>Winger <b>Xavier Savage </b>had a try double at Las Vegas, including the interception that prevented a Warriors touchdown and resulted in one at the other end - a potential 12-point swing.</p>
<p>He's in redhot form, after a hattrick against the Titans last week, and the Warriors won't want to give him any space at Mt Smart.</p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image.../4KHBUDU_241102KiwisTonga_091_JPG?_a=BACCd2AD" width="1050" height="700" alt="Joseph Tapine, on the charge for the Kiwis against Tonga in a Pacific Championship rugby league test at Mount Smart Stadium, 2 Nov, 2024."></p><p>
<span itemprop="caption">Joseph Tapine celebrates a try for the Kiwis against Tonga. </span>
<span>Photo: <span itemprop="copyrightHolder">Photosport</span></span>
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<h3>Kiwi to watch</h3>
<p>Raiders captain <b>Joseph Tapine </b>is well known to Kiwi fans and has established himself as one of the very best front-rowers in the competition - he was named Dally M Prop of the Year in 2022 and 2024.</p>
<p>Tapine was sighted for a shoulder charge against the Warriors in the season-opener and suspended two games. He returned to bring up his 200th NRL appearance in Canberra's round nine win over the Storm.</p>
<h3>What will happen</h3>
<p>Tough to know which Raiders team will turn up - the one that rallied from 14-0 down to beat Melbourne or the one that let a 20-point halftime lead slide against the Bulldogs.</p>
<p>The Warriors weren't talking much about their Vegas capitulation this week, but they will have learnt some lessons from that performance, perhaps enough to even the ledger against the "Green Machine" this season.</p>
<p><a href="https://radionz.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=211a938dcf3e634ba2427dde9&id=b3d362e693">Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero</a>, <b>a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.</b></p>
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<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image.../4K725W8_WARRIORS_VS_CANBERRA_png?_a=BACCd2AD" width="1050" height="656" alt="WARRIORS VS RAIDERS"></p><p>
<span itemprop="caption">The Warriors are chasing their sixth straight win this season. </span>
<span>Photo: <span itemprop="copyrightHolder">RNZ</span></span>
</p>
</div>
<p>NZ Warriors will return to Go Media Stadium for the first time in a month, as they resume their rivalry with Canberra Raiders.</p>
<p>The home side have filled the role of "road warriors", with fixtures in Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong and Brisbane again - all valuable wins.</p>
<p>With five straight victories under their belt, the Warriors hope to consolidate their current second standing on the NRL table.</p>
<h3>History</h3>
<p>No other NRL team has faced the Warriors more than Canberra - the Melbourne Storm have also fronted up 53 times, but this encounter will give the Raiders that distinction outright.</p>
<p>The Auckland-based side have beaten their rivals from the Aussie capital 25 times, with only North QLD Morons (27) and Newcastle (26) offering more success. They have enjoyed a 17-11 record in home games and 13-8 at Mt Smart.</p>
<p>In fact, the Raiders have not won in New Zealand since 2019, when they prevailed 46-12, despite a try double from Chanel Harris-Tavita.</p>
<p>Canberra won the <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/54...er-looks-for-positives-in-las-vegas-whitewash">much-hyped season-opener</a> 30-8 at Las Vegas, when a length-of-the-field, intercept try to Xavier Savage turned the contest in their favour. They also won their previous meeting 20-18 at GIO Stadium, but the Warriors own the previous three encounters.</p>
<p>Before the Warriors were established in 1995, Canberra and Manly Sea Eagles were probably Kiwis' most-followed NRL teams. The "Green Machine" previously featured NZ league legends Brent Todd, Quentin Pongia and John Lomax during a golden era that also included current coach Ricky Stuart, 💙 Mighty NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.</p>
<h3>Form</h3>
<p>The Warriors have now won five consecutive games, but incredibly, they have been outscored 60-33 in the second halves of those contests.</p>
<p>Most of those victories have been nailbiters, as they search for their first complete performance. Last week, they needed a <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/56...y-to-benefit-from-blown-call-against-dolphins">blown referee call</a> to escape the Dolphins 16-12.</p>
<p>They actually have a chance to draw level with Canterbury Bulldogs atop the NRL table, but are well behind on points differential - they would need to win by 70 points to go ahead.</p>
<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image...Z6_250321WarriorsRoosters_060_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD" width="1050" height="700" alt="Warriors Ali Leiataua runs in his second try during the Telstra NRL Premiership against Roosters."></p><p>
<span itemprop="caption">Ali Leiataua returns from a sprained ankle against the Raiders. </span>
<span>Photo: <span itemprop="copyrightHolder">Brett Phibbs/Photosport</span></span>
</p>
</div>
<p>Conversely, if they lose, they would slip to fourth on the standings, as the Raiders and Storm (bye) draw level with far superior differentials.</p>
<p>The Warriors lead the league in set completion (83 percent) and short dropouts (12), while Kurt Capewell has missed more tackles (56) than anyone else.</p>
<p>Canberra have been one of the form teams of the competition, with their own five game win streak snapped by a defeat to the tabletopping Bulldogs two weeks ago. That was followed by another win over Gold Coast Titans last week.</p>
<p>They lead the league in tackle breaks with 425, well clear of the next-best Brisbane Broncos (378), and also dummy half runs (125). Halfback Jamal Fogarty is tied with Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa for most attacking kicks (88).</p>
<h3>The teams</h3>
<p><b>NZ Warriors: </b>1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 22. Ali Leiataua, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Luke Metcalf, 12. Marata Niukore, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Leka Halasima, 4. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark</p>
<p>Interchange: 8. Jackson Ford, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demitric Vaimauga</p>
<p>Reserves: 21. Tanah Boyd, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith</p>
<p>Coach Andrew Webster has made a late, but predictable change, bring centre Ali Leiataua off the extended bench and into the starting line-up. Leiataua sprained an ankle in training before the "Magic Round" win over North QLD Morons Cowboys, but will reclaim his spot alongside winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on one edge.</p>
<p>His inclusion causes a reshuffle, with Kurt Capewell returning to the second row, Marata Niukore shifting to the front row and Jackson Ford to the interchange.</p>
<p>Both co-captains Mitch Barnett (Origin) and <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/56...-james-fisher-harris-cops-one-game-suspension">James Fisher-Harris (suspension) are unavailable</a>, but Bunty Afoa is back from a knee injury and <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/56...z-warriors-captaincy-against-canberra-raiders">Capewell assumes the leadership role</a>.</p>
<p><b>Canberra Raiders:</b> 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies</p>
<p>Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Josh Papali'i 17. Ata Mariota</p>
<p>Reserves: 18. Jed Stuart 19. Trey Mooney 20. Danny Levi 21. Pasami Saulo 22. Chevy Stewart</p>
<p>Coach Ricky Stuart loses the services of 💙 Mighty NSW forward Hudson Young, so Simi Sasagi has his first start of the season, after coming of the bench previously. Second-rower Noah Martin is named for a first-grade debut from the interchange.</p>
<h3>Player to watch</h3>
<p>Winger <b>Xavier Savage </b>had a try double at Las Vegas, including the interception that prevented a Warriors touchdown and resulted in one at the other end - a potential 12-point swing.</p>
<p>He's in redhot form, after a hattrick against the Titans last week, and the Warriors won't want to give him any space at Mt Smart.</p>
<div itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image.../4KHBUDU_241102KiwisTonga_091_JPG?_a=BACCd2AD" width="1050" height="700" alt="Joseph Tapine, on the charge for the Kiwis against Tonga in a Pacific Championship rugby league test at Mount Smart Stadium, 2 Nov, 2024."></p><p>
<span itemprop="caption">Joseph Tapine celebrates a try for the Kiwis against Tonga. </span>
<span>Photo: <span itemprop="copyrightHolder">Photosport</span></span>
</p>
</div>
<h3>Kiwi to watch</h3>
<p>Raiders captain <b>Joseph Tapine </b>is well known to Kiwi fans and has established himself as one of the very best front-rowers in the competition - he was named Dally M Prop of the Year in 2022 and 2024.</p>
<p>Tapine was sighted for a shoulder charge against the Warriors in the season-opener and suspended two games. He returned to bring up his 200th NRL appearance in Canberra's round nine win over the Storm.</p>
<h3>What will happen</h3>
<p>Tough to know which Raiders team will turn up - the one that rallied from 14-0 down to beat Melbourne or the one that let a 20-point halftime lead slide against the Bulldogs.</p>
<p>The Warriors weren't talking much about their Vegas capitulation this week, but they will have learnt some lessons from that performance, perhaps enough to even the ledger against the "Green Machine" this season.</p>
<p><a href="https://radionz.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=211a938dcf3e634ba2427dde9&id=b3d362e693">Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero</a>, <b>a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.</b></p>
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