Junior Reps Round 3 Preview

Author: Raiders.com.au
Timestamp: Fri 21 Feb 2020, 04:51 PM

After two gritty wins to start the season, the Canberra Raiders S.G. Ball Cup side will be looking to maintain their record when they face the Victorian Thunderbolts.

Having seen his side come from behind to defeat the Parramatta Eels and New Zealand Warriors respectively, coach Billy Thomson is pleased with the character displayed by the playing group.

“It’s encouraging sign for me but there’s a lot to work on,” Thomson said. “We’re a new side together, we’ve got some young halves in there so there’s a lot to work on.

“The side have been very courageous over the last couple of weeks and the last couple of wins. They’re playing for each other with a lot of purpose. They’re also playing for the jumper which is very important for us.”

Highlights: UNE Harold Matthews Cup Rd 2

The side will be aiming to remain at the top of table with a win but Thomson says his side need to improve in defence.

“We spoke in detail this week about our defensive techniques that let us down last week – and there were quite a few of them,” Thomson said. “We put our nose to the grindstone on Wednesday night focusing on all these points and that’s where I’d like to see some improvement.

“We’ve leaked close to 22 points per game and that’s not good enough and the players know that and we’d like to get that number down.

With a short season, Thomson is working hard to ensure his sides continues their momentum and doesn’t take their foot off the peddle when they face the Thunderbolts.

“Rugby league is all about playing off the back of some really good momentum and I think having the start that we’ve established at the moment has given us an opportunity,” Thomson said. “We just need to take that opportunity and make it really work for us as a group.”

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 22 Feb

Full Time

Raiders

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Junior Tupou

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Ashton Kolinisau

Winger for Storm is number 2 Lene FETERIKA
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Michael Asomua

Centre for Storm is number 3 Sione Finau
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Brown Kuresa

Centre for Storm is number 4 Deveraux Feo
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Livai Kaloutolu

Winger for Storm is number 5 Imila Mataafa
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Mitchell SPENCER

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Andy Tapatuetoa
Halfback for Raiders is number 9 Joshua Pokoney

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Noah NATAPU

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 7 Connor Williams

Prop for Storm is number 8 Fonua Pole
Hooker for Raiders is number 12 Caleb ESERA

Hooker for Storm is number 22 Lotoni POUHILA
Prop for Raiders is number 15 Jayden Clarkson

Prop for Storm is number 10 Gabriel BARTLETT
2nd Row for Raiders is number 8 Bryce Magnone

2nd Row for Storm is number 9 Tui IEREMIA
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Henry Alesi

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Xaviour TAUFA
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Trey Mooney

Lock for Storm is number 13 Jared Nauma

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Eneseli Kamuta

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Josiah KENI
Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Kane Smith

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Allan LO TAM
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Jack Williams

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Poasa Telepe
Interchange for Raiders is number 22 Jackson Owen

Interchange for Storm is number 20 Jethro TAVU’I-LEOTA

Reserves

Reserve for Raiders is number 16 Ethan Foster

Reserve for Storm is number 18 Nat LATU

Last updated: 12/6/2022 12:22:36 AM

Elsewhere, the Canberra Raiders Tarsha Gale Cup side will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent winning record when they host the Wests Tigers.