GIO Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 22 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday July 29, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Where: GIO Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Odds
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Preview
Following some golden point heartbreak last week, Canberra aims to cement its Top 8 standing at home to a Newcastle side that has re-entered the playoffs race with a sensational Round 21 upset.
The Raiders stayed in the fight against the Warriors sufficiently to almost pull off a miracle win, conjuring two tries in the last 90 seconds to send the match into extra-time…where they were foiled by a field goal.
It was only the Green Machine’s third loss in 13 games and they’re still in a share of third – but a poor for-and-against sees them fifth on the ladder.
The Knights regrouped from midseason slump by thrashing the Bulldogs and Tigers, before overcoming an early 12-point deficit to stun the Storm 26-18 last weekend.
Newcastle’s dynamic back-five – with Kalyn Ponga the fulcrum – spearheaded a win that hoisted the Knights to within a point of the Top 8.
The Raiders’ 17 is unchanged, while the Knights have lost Daniel Saifiti (thigh) with Brodie Jones joining the bench.
Newcastle carved out a 24-14 upset over Canberra at home in Round 4, with Greg Marzhew storming over for a double on club debut.
It came on the back of a pair of nerve-shredding Raiders victories against the Knights in 2022 characterised by big comebacks and hectic finishes.
The Knights have won four of the teams’ last six encounters, but they have won only one of their last six at GIO Stadium.
Canberra is giving away only 3.5 points at the line despite a home advantage. All 11 of the Raiders’ wins this season were by 10 points or less, including six by four points or fewer.
This has the makings of another cliff-hanger between two sides who rarely put a cohesive 80 minutes together.
But the Raiders should find a way to scrape in, as they’ve done repeatedly in tight contests (last week notwithstanding) over the past three months.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Canberra Raiders to win at $1.58 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Jordan Rapana at $10.00.
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Teams
Raiders team: 1. Sebastian Kris 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Ata Mariota 18. Nick Cotric 19. Matt Frawley 20. Trey Mooney 21. Ethan Strange 22. Utuloa Asouma
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Brodie Jones 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Jack Johns