Sunday’s NRL 2018 Round 22 match is between Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers. The opening kick is set to commence at 14:00 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 Wests Tigers.
When: 14:00 | Sunday 12/08/2018
Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Preview:
This game has huge importance for the Tigers, who at this stage still have hope of making the finals.
The challenge ahead is playing a Canberra team that doesn’t have a worry in the world and while 2018 has alluded them, they might now get some scalps in the remainder of the comp.
Create some real problems for some teams.
The Tigers have more to play for but I’m not sure if they are able to defend well enough to counter the potency of the Raiders who back at home will be very good.
To be honest though, I’m not real sure.
KEY BATTLE: Robbie Farah v Josh Hodgson
The battle of Farah v Hodgson should be a mouth-watering one.
Both individuals are extremely good and have an arsenal of tricks in the bags.
The Verdict
I do think there will be quite a few points in this on and I’m leaning towards the Raiders.
Canberra has a 13-13-3 (70.4 percent) O/U record as a home team in day matches since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Canberra Raiders at $1.56
Wests Tigers at $2.48
Odds:
Tip: Canberra Raiders at $1.56
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Brad Abbey at $13.00
More Info:
Teams:
Canberra Raiders:
1 Nick Cotric, 2 Brad Abbey, 3 Blake Austin, 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Aidan Sezer, 7 Sam Williams, 8 Iosia Soliola, 9 Josh Hodgson (c), 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Joseph Tapine, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Josh Papalii
Interchange: 14 Dunamis Lui, 15 Shannon Boyd, 16 Siliva Havili, 17 Luke Bateman
Reserves: 18 Liam Knight, 19 Jack Murchie, 20 Makahesi Makatoa, 21 Emre Guler.
Wests Tigers: 
1 Moses Mbye, 2 David Nofoaluma, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Kevin Naiqama, 5 Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6 Benji Marshall, 7 Luke Brooks, 8 Russell Packer, 9 Robbie Farah, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Michael Chee Kam, 12 Luke Garner, 13 Elijah Taylor (c)
Interchange: 14 Alex Twal, 15 Suaso Sue, 16 Robbie Rochow, 17 Matt Eisenhuth
Reserves: 18 Jacob Liddle, 19 Chris McQueen, 20 Pita Godinet, 21 Mahe Fonua.
NRL News:
Ricky Stuart’s leaky Canberra Raiders are on track for an unenviable record as the first team to top the NRL/NSWRL points-scoring list and miss the finals.
Despite yet another horror fade-out against Penrith on Sunday, the Raiders managed to score 31 points, lifting their season tally to 489.
That has them clear of even competition leaders South Sydney, who are second-best with 487 points scored.
Since a final-four system was permanently introduced for the 1926 season – previously there were years with only a final or no playoffs at all – every team with the best attacking record has made the finals.
Several teams have come close to the unwanted record the Raiders are facing, including the 2010 Rabbitohs who finished with the second-best attack and missed the top-eight.
The Raiders sit 10th on the NRL ladder with an 8-12 record after the heart-breaking loss to the Panthers slammed the door shut on any chance they had of making the finals.
After making the preliminary final in 2016, Canberra’s last two seasons have been blighted by narrow losses and giving up by big leads.
Since the start of 2017, the Raiders are 4-14 in games decided by six points or less.
But they can blame themselves this season as their defence has coughed up 474 points, more than every team except Newcastle (513), Manly (504) and (Gold Coast (491)
And they still have to face a tough end to the season as they play the Wests Tigers, along with top-eight sides Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and the Warriors.
HIGHEST SCORING NRL TEAMS AFTER ROUND 21
1. Canberra (489)
2. South Sydney (487)
3. Melbourne (476)
4. St George Illawarra (471)
5. Sydney Roosters (460)
