Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 9 match is between Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:00 local time with the game to be played at GIO Stadium, Canberra. The home team Canberra Raiders are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans.
When: 15:00 | Saturday 05/05/2018
Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Preview:
Losing Josh Hodgson was massive for the Raiders but it has given Silivi Havili a shot and he has really made a good fist of it.
Not your standard hooker as in he weighs 104 kg and runs like a runaway truck and he could find himself in a really good place this weekend against the Titans in the middle 3rd of the field.
In their last game they were particularly poor through this area.
With the size of the Raiders forwards getting quick play the balls, Havili will pounce.
Bryce Cartwright was at no.6 last week and had an ok game but will need to be better again this week.
Coach Garth Brennan said he’ll be the 6 and that’s fine.
I think he’s best suited in that spot over being in the thick of it.
KEY BATTLE: Jai Arrow v Josh Papalii
A real good matchup this week will be between the lock forwards.
Jai Arrow is close to the best forward in the comp for mine and Josh Papalii is back to his destructive best.
Low on stock due to injury for State Of Origin, I’m sure these two will go hammer and tong against each other.
The Verdict
Growing from a win on the road in Townsville which hasn’t happened at the Raiders for a million years, I think the size and the speed of the outside backs will be too tough to handle for the Gold Coast team.
The Raiders have a 14-14 (50.0 percent) record after winning as an underdog since 2012.
The Titans are 10-61 (14.1 percent) in day matches since 2011 in the “Yes (To Win Both Halves)” market.
Unibet Odds:
Canberra at $1.50
Gold Coast at $2.63
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Canberra Raiders at $1.43
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Jordan Rapana at $8.00
More Info:
Teams:
Canberra Raiders:
1 Jack Wighton, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Blake Austin, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Iosia Soliola, 9 Siliva Havili, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii Interchange: 14 Ata Hingano, 15 Shannon Boyd, 16 Luke Bateman, 17 Dunamis Lui Reserves: 18 Liam Knight, 19 Michael Oldfield, 20 Brad Abbey, 21 Jack Murchie.
Gold Coast Titans: 
1 Michael Gordon, 2 Anthony Don, 3 Brendan Elliot, 4 Konrad Hurrell, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 Bryce Cartwright, 7 Ashley Taylor, 8 Jarrod Wallace, 9 Mitch Rein, 10 Ryan James (c), 11 Kevin Proctor, 12 Will Matthews, 13 Jai Arrow Interchange: 14 Max King, 15 Jack Stockwell, 16 Keegan Hipgrave, 17 Ryan Simpkins Reserves: 18 Leilani Latu, 19 Moeaki Fotuaika, 20 Brenko Lee, 21 Kane Elgey.
NRL News:
Canberra’s off-contract five-eighth Blake Austin wants to remain with the Raiders next year, declaring he would love to stay in the nation’s capital.
The 27-year-old knocked back a deal from the club last year, believed to be $1.4 million over two years but, in April, he said money wasn’t the reason for turning it down.
Instead, Austin said he was weighing up whether to stay in Canberra, long term, or move back home to Sydney, where he had played previously for Penrith and the West Tigers.
“I’d still love to be in Canberra; my kids are comfortable here,” Austin said on Wednesday.
“It’s making sure everything is right and being comfortable in putting a signature on a piece of paper because I want to be 100 per cent committed in helping the Raiders get some success.”
Austin conceded the uncertainty around his future wasn’t ideal and he would like some security either way soon, but he had not place a time frame on making a decision.
“(Contracts) are something pretty easy for you guys (the media) to write about and I saw Aidan (Sezer) wasn’t too comfortable answering questions (on Tuesday),” Austin said.
“One thing I’ve learned to do is back myself and that’s what I’ll continue to do on the field.”
Austin is one of 10 Raiders off contract at the end of the season, including his halves partner. Sezer on Tuesday said “nothing’s changed” on his playing future.
It’s been reported the former Gold Coast player is set to re-sign with the Raiders on a two-year deal.
Fellow key Canberra players Shannon Boyd, Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola and Luke Bateman are yet to decide on their futures, while forward Junior Paulo is likely to head to back to Parramatta on a mammoth four-year deal.