2021 NRL – Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers taking place? Sunday 14th March, 2021 – 05:05 (UK)
Where is Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers taking place? GIO Stadium, Canberra
Where can I get tickets for Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Canberra Raiders vs Wests Tigers 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 Wests Tigers? 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, Kris, Scott, Rapana, Wighton, G. Williams, Papalii, Hodgson, Lui, Young, Whitehead, Tapine – Interchanges: Havili, Sutton, Soliola, James – Reserves: S. Williams, Starling, Guler, Smith-Shields
Unavailable: Jarrod Croker (Injured)
- Canberra Raiders overcame Cronulla Sharks in the first week of the finals before ending Sydney Roosters’ reign as champions but they ran out of gas as they were blown away by Melbourne Storm in the preliminary finals.
- The Raiders suffered from an injury crisis last year but they can almost boast a clean bill of health this time around, although their squad does look lighter on quality following the departures of John Bateman and Nick Cotric.
WESTS TIGERS
Starting 13: Laurie, Nofoaluma, Roberts, J. Leilua, Kepaoa, Mbye, Brooks, Tamou, Liddle, Ofahengaue, Garner, L. Leilua, Twal – Interchanges: Talau, Mikaele, Utoikamanu, Packer – Reserves: Madden, Chee-Kam, Simpkins, Seyfarth
Unavailable: Adam Doueihi (Suspended), Zane Musgrove (Suspended), Billy Walters (Injured), Shawn Blore (Injured)
- Wests Tigers once again missed out on a spot in the top eight but there are high hopes for an improved season after making some eye-catching additions to their roster which head coach Michael Maguire will believe can improve his side’s ability on both sides of the ball.
- Wests have lost key man Harry Grant after he returned to Melbourne Storm following the conclusion of his loan spell while the experienced Benji Marshall also departed which will mean a reshuffle in the halves.
THE PREDICTION
Canberra Raiders will hope for better luck on the injury front in 2021 after they lost some key men for large parts of the campaign last year. They will believe they have the talent on their roster to push for a place in the top four this year while a return to the Grand Final will also be on their goal having fallen one game short last year. Wests Tigers on the other hand will be desperate to just break into the top eight after years of narrowly missing out but they will need their new-look side to gel quickly if they are to get off to a good start. Both teams can improve on both sides of the ball in this new campaign but the Raiders were a lot stronger than their opponents last year and they should be able to get off the mark with a victory here.
