The Stats Zone
· Ash Wheldon

2019 NRL – Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Friday 22nd March, 07:00

Where is Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm taking place? GIO Stadium

What channel is Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports

Where can I stream Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer

Where can I get tickets for Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm?
Canberra Raiders – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500013

Melbourne Storm – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500021

THE TEAM NEWS

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Head Coach: Ricky Stuart

Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Cotric, Croker, Leilua, Rapana, Wighton, Sezer, Papalii, Hodgson, Lui, Tapine, Whitehead, J. Bateman – Interchanges: Havili, Sutton, Soliola, Horsburgh – Reserves: Williams, Collins, Simonsson, Murchie

Unavailable: Michael Oldfield

  • Canberra stifled the Gold Coast attack in their season opener as they managed to score 21 points without reply to get off to a great start but now head back to the capital to host Melbourne.

  • John Bateman was an impressive debutant for the Raiders as he played the full 80 minutes and picked up 2 Dally M points in the process with many pundits sitting up to take notice of his eye-catching display.

  • Jordan Rapana has given the Raiders a big boost having made quicker than expected recovery from the injury that he suffered in the Test series for New Zealand against England which means Bailey Simonsson drops to the reserves.

MELBOURNE STORM

Head Coach: Craig Bellamy

Starting 13: Hughes, Vunivalu, Chambers, Scott, Addo-Carr, Munster, Croft, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: B. Smith, Welch, Kamikamica, P. Kaufusi – Reserves: Seve, Vete, Papenhuyzen, Walters

Unavailable: Scott Drinkwater, Joe Stimson, Tom Eisenhuth

  • Melbourne began the season with a win over Brisbane in which they controlled the game throughout as they highlighted that they will again be challenging at the top of the NRL ladder.

  • Tom Eisenhuth ended up in hospital after he picked up a throat injury during his short spell on the pitch against the Broncos and has had to have surgery on a fractured larynx which will see him miss a prolonged period.
  • His place on the bench is taken by Patrick Kaufusi with the Storm otherwise unchanged from their clash with the Broncos as they head to Canberra to take on a Raiders side that were also impressive in Round 1.

THE PREDICTION

Canberra got their season off to the perfect start as they nilled Gold Coast in the rain but will face a much tougher test here as they host Melbourne. The Raiders will need to control the big Storm pack that suffocated the Broncos last week and it presents a big chance for Canberra to see where they are at as a team. Melbourne will be keen to carry on where they left off last week and whilst this will be a tougher contest for them, the Storm can edge it.

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