2019 NRL – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders taking place? Saturday 1st June, 10:35
Where is Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders taking place? ANZ Stadium
What channel is Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders on?
UK – Sky Sports Mix
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders?
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 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Canberra Raiders?
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500010
Canberra Raiders – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500013
THE TEAM NEWS
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Dean Pay
Starting 13: Meaney, Crichton, Montoya, Hopoate, R. Smith, Foran, Cogger, Tolman, Marshall-King, Ogden, Jackson, Harawira-Naera, C. Smith – Interchanges: Martin, Faitala-Mariner, Fualalo, Sue – Reserves: Lichaa, Lewis, Holland, Elliott
Unavailable: Brandon Wakeham, Jayden Okunbor, Dylan Napa
- Canterbury were outclassed by Melbourne as the Bulldogs failed to produce when it mattered in a disappointing loss to the Storm but a second consecutive home fixture offers them a chance to respond.
- The Bulldogs will be without prop Dylan Napa after he was selected in the Maroons squad with his place in the starting line-up taken by Ofahiki Ogden whilst Raymond Faitala-Mariner comes onto the bench.
- That is the only change to the 17 that faced the Storm last week with head coach Dean Pay resisting the temptation to wield the axe after such an underwhelming performance but the pressure will be on the side to perform this week.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Head Coach: Ricky Stuart
Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Simonsson, Croker, Kris, Oldfield, Sezer, Williams, Horsburgh, Havili, Lui, Tapine, Whitehead, Young – Interchanges: Starling, Guler, Soliola, Sutton – Reserves: Higano, Hunt, Niko, J. Bateman
Unavailable: Joey Leilua, Jordan Rapana, Josh Hodgson, Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton, Josh Papalii
- Canberra's struggles continued as they lost their third consecutive game after they suffered a shock defeat at home to North Queensland and now travel to Sydney to face Canterbury with a host of players missing.
- Canberra have been missing the influence of John Bateman but he has made a sooner than expected recovery and will come into the side despite being named as a reserve but fellow Englishman Josh Hodgson will be out for a month with a broken thumb.
- Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii are all unavailable due to Origin duty leaving the Raiders down on plenty of talent but one big plus for the Raiders is that they have Aidan Sezer to call upon who will be keen to put in a big performance after losing his place in the side earlier in the season.
THE PREDICTION
Canberra head to Canterbury on the back of three losses and will be without some big players. Josh Hodgson picked up a thumb injury last week whilst the Raiders have three players featuring in Origin with holes all over their side which should see the home side win here. John Bateman’s return for the Raiders will be very important but may not be enough to prevent a fourth consecutive loss with Canberra fielding an extremely under-strength side although Canterbury will still need to perform to claim the points.
