They frequently produce thrilling comebacks, but Canberra’s penchant for slow starts has the potential to put the brakes on their season.
The Raiders have led at halftime just twice this season, and once again slipped behind before the main break in Sunday’s 30-20 loss to Cronulla.
A comeback, inspired by young utility Anthony Milford who bagged a double, drew them close with 20 minutes to play but ultimately they’d left themselves too much work to do.
It was a point Furner drilled into them after the game and one he’d no doubt been thinking of as soon as he watched his side fall behind 12-0 after 18 minutes.
“I just said to the boys there – you can’t keep giving those starts,” Furner said.
“The team tried to fight their way back into the game.
“We had a chance there, we got close.
“But I think you’ve got to look at that first half and those 12 points.”
Skipper Terry Campese appealed to anyone who had a solution to get in touch with one of the NRL’s most befuddling sides.
“No idea. If someone can tell us, please ring up. I’d like to know,” he said.
With Manly coming up next week, Campese says it is something the Raiders need to sort out immediately.
“We’ve got to learn how to start. The first 20 minutes is crucial,” he said.
“Especially playing Manly next week, they’ll put more than 12 on us.”