Raiders captain fit for Storm NRL clash

With a fully fit list and a nightmare away schedule bearing down on them, Canberra will look to steal the opening points of their NRL season against perennial title chasers Melbourne.

After Saturday’s match at Canberra Stadium, the Raiders play their next three games away – on the Gold Coast against the Titans and then back to Sydney for matches against the Roosters and the Wests Tigers.

It’s left Raiders coach David Furner understandably keen for a first up win at home.

“We’ve probably got the toughest draw in the first four or five games – the toughest draw in the competition – but it’s never been mentioned,” Furner told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

“It’s just about getting through that round one game, go after that round one game and then go after the next one.

“But we can’t look any further.

“We need to start well.”

On the plus for the Raiders’ 2012 campaign start, Furner has been able to draw on a full roster, with Terry Campese and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs both named in the squad after recovering from groin and foot injuries respectively.

Campese, who was a late omission from the Raiders’ trial against Canterbury, has made it through two solid training sessions in the past week, and Furner expects 80 minutes from his newly installed skipper.

New recruit Shaun Berrigan will start in the centres alongside Jarrod Croker, which consigns Joel Thompson to a new role off the bench despite his solid performances in the Raiders’ two opening trials at left centre and in the back-row.

“He can cover a number of positions, Joely T … and his ability to play in those positions probably cost him a starting spot,” Furner conceded.

Thompson played at left centre when the Raiders beat the Storm in their opening trial in Albury earlier this month 27-18, Melbourne that day minus their star trio of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.

But Furner is anticipating a fare more heated contest on Saturday.

“They’ve always been a well-drilled, well-prepared side and they’ve also got three classy players that in any side would be a massive threat … it’s a great test for us.”

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