2021 NRL – Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? Saturday 27th March, 2021 – 04:00 (UK)
Where is Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? GIO Stadium, Canberra
Where can I get tickets for Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Simonsson, Croker, Scott, Rapana, Wighton, G. Williams, Papalii, Hodgson, Lui, Young, Whitehead, Tapine – Interchanges: Havili, Sutton, Soliola, James – Reserves: S. Williams, Starling, Aekins, Kris
Unavailable:
- Canberra Raiders made it two wins from two to begin the campaign as they edged Cronulla Sharks in a closely-fought contest last week but the Raiders will still feel they have a lot more to come after underwhelming with the ball in that clash.
- The conditions made it tough for them to shift the ball but while they had no issues in breaking the line having managed six line breaks, it was in the 20 where they lacked a clinical side to put the game out of Cronulla’s reach.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitu’a, Pompey, Hiku, Maumalo, Nikorima, O’Sullivan, Fonua-Blake, Egan, Afoa, Katoa, Sironen, Harris – Interchanges: Tevaga, Murdoch-Masila, Ah Mau, Murchie – Reserves: Ale, Montoya, Turner, Evans
Unavailable: Karl Lawton (Injured), Jackson Frei (Injured), Euan Aitken (Injured), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Injured), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Suspended)
- New Zealand Warriors were unable to start the campaign with back-to-back wins as they failed to hang on to the lead against Newcastle Knights with a late try seeing them fall to a narrow 16-20 loss.
- The Warriors will hope to respond here and they will feel they can do so with them defending relatively well so far with only three teams missing fewer tackles at this early stage of the season.
THE PREDICTION
Canberra Raiders earned a second straight win to kick-off the season but they will want to start working their way into a better attacking groove after coming in for some criticism despite their win over Cronulla Sharks last week. There is a feeling that their halves are not receiving the ball early enough and if they do not fix that, it could play into the hands of New Zealand Warriors here. The Kiwi side were edged by Newcastle Knights last week but they showed they will be no pushovers this season. The Warriors do not appear to have a great deal of points in them so they will be focused on their defensive efforts and that should lead to a contest that produces under 44.5 points.
