Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillRound sixteen preview - Raiders vs Tigers
July 1st 2007 02:43
VENUE and TIME: Canberra Stadium, 2:00pm AEST, Sunday July 1
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14, Raiders 8, Tigers 6
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST TIME: Raiders 19 - Tigers 18 at Campbelltown Stadium, round 23, 2006
MEDICAL ROOM:
Canberra will be bolstered by the return of troubled half Todd Carney and prop Michael Weyman from suspension to face the Tigers. Forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (leg) and Phil Graham (knee) are expected to return next week, while Matt Bickerstaff (knee)and David Howell (groin) are at least a couple of weeks away from being considered for a recall.
Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall could make a return from a shoulder injury in round 20, while fullback Brett Hodgson (cheekbone fracture) is expected to return in the next couple of weeks.
FORM:
Canberra has endured a roller coaster ride to start to the season, with injuries to key personnel seeing them slump to 13th on the NRL ladder. The Raiders have lost their past two matches to the Cowboys and the Knights by four points, with coach Neil Henry’s main concern being his side’s lack of communication in defence.
Injuries to key players have threatened to derail the Tigers 2007 campaign, with the young Tigers struggling to score points in recent weeks. After storming to a six-game winning sequence earlier in the season, the Tigers have slumped to lose three of their past four to slip out of the top four. A 48-18 loss at the hands of a rampant Brisbane Broncos outfit in round fifteen has seen the Tigers slide to sixth place on the NRL ladder.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Todd Carney vs Robbie Farah
Carney finally makes his return from a club imposed suspension this Sunday, with the crafty young half sure to unleash weeks of frustration upon the Tigers. Carney was at sensational best at the start of the season, and the skilful number seven will look to reprise his lethal early season combinations with five-eighth Terry Campese and fullback William Zillman against the Tigers.
With the Tigers struggling for attacking impetus in recent weeks, Sheens has gambled on shifting creative hooker Farah into the number seven jersey. Possessing a nifty short kicking game, Farah will look to expose a Raiders goal line defence that has leaked 19 tries from close range kicks this season.
Marshall Chalk vs Paul Whatuira
Dangerous in attack but lethal in defence, Chalk’s defensive qualities are sure to be tested this weekend. The onus will be on the stocky young Raiders centre to shut down the Tigers prolific left side attack of Whatuira and Taniela Tuiaki, with Chalk sure to hound the Kiwi centre into error at every opportunity.
After a below par performance against the Broncos last Monday night, Whatuira will be gunning for a big game this Sunday against an inexperienced Raiders backline. Still yet to hit his best form in 2007, Whatuira’s combination with Farah and John Morris inside the opposition’s red zone could be lethal.
VERDICT:
Canberra has an imposing record at home so far this season, while the Tigers have struggled to post points away from home. The home ground advantage should be enough to get the Raiders over the line in a hard-fought contest.
Raiders by 6.
Canberra Raiders Team
William Zillman, David Milne, Marshall Chalk, Colin Best, Brett Kelly, Terry Campese, Todd Carney, Troy Thompson, Lincoln Withers, Scott Logan, Nigel Plum, Glen Turner, Alan Tongue (c)
Bench: Josh Miller, Dane Tilse, Trevor Thurling, Michael Weyman, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Ben Jones
(two to be omitted)
Wests Tigers Team
Daniel Fitzhenry, Beau Ryan, Dean Collis, Paul Whatuira, Taniela Tuiaki, John Morris, Robbie Farah, Todd Payten, Dene Halatau, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton, Chris Lawrence
Bench:
Danny Galea, Stuart Flanagan, Bronson Harrison, Ben Galea
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14, Raiders 8, Tigers 6
COVERAGE: Fox Sports (live), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST TIME: Raiders 19 - Tigers 18 at Campbelltown Stadium, round 23, 2006
MEDICAL ROOM:
Canberra will be bolstered by the return of troubled half Todd Carney and prop Michael Weyman from suspension to face the Tigers. Forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (leg) and Phil Graham (knee) are expected to return next week, while Matt Bickerstaff (knee)and David Howell (groin) are at least a couple of weeks away from being considered for a recall.
Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall could make a return from a shoulder injury in round 20, while fullback Brett Hodgson (cheekbone fracture) is expected to return in the next couple of weeks.
FORM:
Canberra has endured a roller coaster ride to start to the season, with injuries to key personnel seeing them slump to 13th on the NRL ladder. The Raiders have lost their past two matches to the Cowboys and the Knights by four points, with coach Neil Henry’s main concern being his side’s lack of communication in defence.
Injuries to key players have threatened to derail the Tigers 2007 campaign, with the young Tigers struggling to score points in recent weeks. After storming to a six-game winning sequence earlier in the season, the Tigers have slumped to lose three of their past four to slip out of the top four. A 48-18 loss at the hands of a rampant Brisbane Broncos outfit in round fifteen has seen the Tigers slide to sixth place on the NRL ladder.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Todd Carney vs Robbie Farah
Carney finally makes his return from a club imposed suspension this Sunday, with the crafty young half sure to unleash weeks of frustration upon the Tigers. Carney was at sensational best at the start of the season, and the skilful number seven will look to reprise his lethal early season combinations with five-eighth Terry Campese and fullback William Zillman against the Tigers.
With the Tigers struggling for attacking impetus in recent weeks, Sheens has gambled on shifting creative hooker Farah into the number seven jersey. Possessing a nifty short kicking game, Farah will look to expose a Raiders goal line defence that has leaked 19 tries from close range kicks this season.
Marshall Chalk vs Paul Whatuira
Dangerous in attack but lethal in defence, Chalk’s defensive qualities are sure to be tested this weekend. The onus will be on the stocky young Raiders centre to shut down the Tigers prolific left side attack of Whatuira and Taniela Tuiaki, with Chalk sure to hound the Kiwi centre into error at every opportunity.
After a below par performance against the Broncos last Monday night, Whatuira will be gunning for a big game this Sunday against an inexperienced Raiders backline. Still yet to hit his best form in 2007, Whatuira’s combination with Farah and John Morris inside the opposition’s red zone could be lethal.
VERDICT:
Canberra has an imposing record at home so far this season, while the Tigers have struggled to post points away from home. The home ground advantage should be enough to get the Raiders over the line in a hard-fought contest.
Raiders by 6.
Canberra Raiders Team
William Zillman, David Milne, Marshall Chalk, Colin Best, Brett Kelly, Terry Campese, Todd Carney, Troy Thompson, Lincoln Withers, Scott Logan, Nigel Plum, Glen Turner, Alan Tongue (c)
Bench: Josh Miller, Dane Tilse, Trevor Thurling, Michael Weyman, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Ben Jones
(two to be omitted)
Wests Tigers Team
Daniel Fitzhenry, Beau Ryan, Dean Collis, Paul Whatuira, Taniela Tuiaki, John Morris, Robbie Farah, Todd Payten, Dene Halatau, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton, Chris Lawrence
Bench:
Danny Galea, Stuart Flanagan, Bronson Harrison, Ben Galea
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