Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 25 match is between New Zealand Warriors and Canberra Raiders. The opening kick is set to commence at 18:00 local time with the game to be played at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. The home team New Zealand Warriors are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between New Zealand Warriors and Canberra Raiders.
When: 18:00 | Friday 31/08/2018
Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Preview:
Tough game to pick given the form of the Raiders in the last few weeks.
Very typical of the Raiders showing they can play when it’s already too late.
The main area that I see for the Warriors to zone in on for this one is defence.
Stopping this Raiders side will be a real task.
They do however, give you plenty of opportunities though and providing the likes of Shaun Johnson and co who are able to capitalise on them, they should be ok.
The other thing I think will work for the Warriors to ensure they get the job done is to make it as tough as they can for the Raiders.
Kick early, turn them around and ask them to do the tough stuff.
Make it a mental challenge as much as a physical challenge.
In their last game of the year and in New Zealand, the Raiders will be looking for the easy option.
Party time would be in their minds.
Another big incentive for the Warriors is to send their stalwart Simon Mannering out a winner in game 300.
KEY BATTLE: David Fusitu’a v Jordan Rapana
The battle of the wingers will be an epic one.
Will David Fusitu’a get the NRL top try scorers title?
He’s up against the other Kiwi flyer in Jordan Rapana.
The Verdict
This one will provide plenty of highlights from the usual suspects.
Warriors at home.
New Zealand has a 14-11 (56.0 percent) line record as a home favourite after a win since 2013.
Unibet Odds:
New Zealand Warriors at $1.56
Canberra Raiders at $2.48
Odds:
Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $1.50
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Ken Maumalo at $12.00
More Info:
Teams:
New Zealand Warriors:
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Mason Lino 7. Shaun Johnson 16. Bunty Afoa 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Adam Blair 12. Tohu Harris 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Isaiah Papalii 17. Gerard Beale 18. Leivaha Pulu
Reserves: 20. Anthony Gelling 21. Tevita Satae
Players cut: 8. James Gavet, 22. Karl Lawton
Canberra Raiders: 
Raiders: 1. Brad Abbey 2. Nick Cotric 3. Michael Oldfield 4. Joey Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Sam Williams 8. Dunamis Lui 9. Josh Hodgson (C) 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Sia Soliola 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Josh Papalii
Interchange: 14. Emre Guler 15. Junior Paulo 16. Siliva Havili 17. Luke Bateman
Reserves: 18. Jack Murchie 19. Liam Knight
Players cut: 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Aidan Sezer
NRL News:
Shaun Johnson is timing his run to perfection as the Warriors gather a head of steam for their return to the NRL finals.
Missing from September action since 2011, the stars are slowly aligning for a Warriors team whose 36-16 home trumping of Penrith was tagged by players and coach Stephen Kearney alike as their best performance this year.
Standing tallest was marquee playmaker Johnson, the conductor of a right edge attack which has been peerless in the competition this season.
David Fusitu’a’s competition-leading 21 tries is largely the outcome of Johnson’s brilliance, along with the class of second-rower Tohu Harris, who returned from a seven-week injury break in style against the Panthers.
Johnson has been overshadowed in recent times by the spectacular ball running of captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
However, the halfback deserved the acclaim on Friday, having shown glimpses of his best in the lead-up, including during last week’s one-point loss to Canterbury.
“I thought he was good last week with the attacking side but tonight he just took charge of what we needed to do,” Kearney said.
“I thought that was Shaun’s best performance of the year.
“What pleased me most about it was the way he defended. They’re not an easy side on that side, the Panthers, with (Viliame) Kikau and (Waqa) Blake there. They put anyone under pressure.”
Kearney issued a call for a more polished Warriors attack earlier this month and is delighted he’s got it.
His only new concern is a shoulder injury to Ken Maumalo.
There is a good chance five-eighth Blake Green and Gerard Beale could both return for their final-round encounter against the Canberra Raiders in Auckland.
He expects they’ll all want to be part of a historic match in which club great Simon Mannering becomes the first player to notch 300 games for the Warriors.
“It is a significant week for our most decorated player. I’m just sure that he’ll want everyone to do their jobs and that’s what we’ll focus on,” Kearney said.
