We take a look at Friday’s (2/8/2019) NRL 2019 Week 20 match is between New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders. The Raiders go into the match as favourites and they have been heavily backed in early betting.
When: Friday August 2nd, 6:00pm
Where: Mt Smart Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
The Warriors host the an in-form Raiders side as they hope to keep in touch with the top eight after an unlucky 24-22 loss to Parramatta in round 19. In a game littered with refereeing errors, the Warriors had a potential match-winning try by captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck called back for a forward pass, in what was one of a number controversial decisions in the match.
They sit in 12th spot on the ladder, but just a game outside the top eight. Canberra will be playing at Mt Smart Stadium on a five-day turnaround, which meant they flew from Sydney to Auckland on Monday morning, after their 30-18 win against Penrith.
After withstanding an early barrage, the Raiders looked rock solid in defence and have named an unchanged side for the third straight week. The Warriors bring Kodi Nikorima back from injury in the halves in a boost for them.
New Zealand took both clashes against Canberra last season by 4 points and 1 point and another close one is on the cards. The Green Machine and the Warriors have been among the best teams against the handicap this season, with both covering 11 times.
The short turnaround could come back to bite Canberra here and The Wolf thinks the Warriors will be fired up after their loss against the Eels and prevail in this one.
Odds:
Tip: New Zealand Warriors at $2.40
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Gerard Beale at $10.00
Teams:
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Gerard Beale 3. Peta Hiku 4. Blake Ayshford 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papalii 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. Lachlan Burr 15. Sam Lisone 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Chanel Harris-Tavita. Reserves: 21. Adam Pompey 22. Adam Keighran
Raiders: 1. Charnie Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Michael Oldfield 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Hudson Young 20. Sebastian Kris 21. Royce Hunt
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change