The Raiders have delivered a surprising upset to down the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, ambushing the present competitors leaders to win 20-14.
After flying out of the gates, it was clear Ricky Stuart’s aspect had a degree to show and “dominated” their opponents within the first half in line with commentator Dan Ginnane.
Veteran winger Jordan Rapana scored the primary strive of the evening within the 4th minute, flying onto a Sebastian Kris cross.
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Selwyn Cobbo then scored an unlikely strive for the Broncos with three defenders surrounding him.
Somehow, the younger flyer was in a position to floor the ball, regardless of the vast majority of his physique handing over the sideline in an effort dubbed “freakish”.
“That is freakish… it’s all Selwyn Cobbo this, there are not many wingers who can do what Cobbo did there,” Ginnane mentioned.
Rapana was the following to attain, ending his double and standing over the Broncos scattered defence to have a good time.
But the Brisbane aspect wouldn’t lie down and Jordan Riki was the primary man to attain within the second half, cleansing up a Raiders error in their very own in-goal.
Raiders winger Albert Hopoate then scored an important strive for Stuart’s aspect, hovering above Kotoni Staggs to floor the ball.
Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam and Jesse Arthars bought the Red Hill membership again within the recreation within the 72nd minute and it was a drama-filled conflict from then on.
A Rapana error with three minutes on the clock handed the Broncos the proper discipline place to cross and degree the scores.
However, the winger caught an unintentional knee from Mart Taupau within the course of and blood poured from a lower in his head and medical employees attended to him.
The Bunker deemed the collision to be careless and Canberra had been awarded an important penalty, denying Brisbane an opportunity to attain.
“It’s hard to know what Taupau would have done, it is hard to know… let’s not kid ourselves if Jordan Rapana is not lying on the ground, we move on,” Ginnane mentioned.
“It is a controversial ending but you cannot deny these Raiders have been gutsy tonight.”
Re-live all of the motion under!
CROKER’S HUGE RETURN
Raiders legend Jarrod Croker made a long-awaited return to the NRL after just one recreation in 2022, injuring his shoulder in Round 9.
The 32-year-old has performed 293 NRL video games to this point and couldn’t have requested for a greater return to first grade, beating the competitors leaders the Broncos.
Croker can be determined to affix an illustrious membership and notch 300 NRL video games, however time is operating out along with his present contract expiring on the finish of 2023.
Croker recorded 14 tackles and no miss, marking up towards Broncos gun Kotoni Staggs and profitable the battle.
Teammate Corey Harawira-Naera referred to as him the “heart” of the Raiders as a membership and Croker himself mentioned he wasn’t positive he would ever play first grade once more.
“The return of the ultimate clubman, Jarrod Croker,” Yvonne Sampson mentioned.
“I haven’t missed cramping in both calves, but I miss it every week, I hate watching the boys play but I am just very grateful to get another crack,” Croker mentioned.
“Not going to lie I wasn’t sure if it was going to come or not, but I just have to play every game like it is my last now.”
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RAIDERS’ ‘SCARY’ MOMENT INSPIRES BIG WIN
Only per week in the past Ricky Stuart’s aspect had been embarrassed by the reigning premiers, shedding 53-12 towards the Panthers at GIO Stadium.
Canberra’s coach mentioned he was “disappointed” for the entire membership’s followers and warned his staff had been in for a troublesome week.
The Raiders had been then handed one of many hardest fixtures within the NRL, going through the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium – they usually responded in a giant method.
League legend Mal Meninga mentioned the Raiders’ win got here all the way down to “character” and praised their efficiency.
“It just goes to show character beats talent, the Broncos were flying high at the top of the competition and had every right to come into this game very confident,” Mal Meninga mentioned.
“But the players got together, they made a decision they were going to build this victory on character and uncompromising energy and commitment.”
Raiders legend Jarrod Croker mentioned the week’s coaching was “intense” however Stuart’s self-discipline clearly paid dividends.
“We all copped a lot of criticism after last week and the start of the season, so my focus wasn’t on not missing tackles,
“I just wanted to show up for my mates for 80 minutes and luckily every one of us did that and we got the result.”
“It was pretty intense not going to lie, it was pretty physical, but we had to, last week wasn’t up to standards… but tonight was all about character.”
Prop Josh Papalii additionally mentioned he was afraid of his coach’s response after their Round 5 efficiency earlier than an enormous return to the winner’s circle.
“It was one of the scariest moments of my life walking into that video session and Ricky wasn’t happy,” Papalii mentioned.
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BUNKER’S CONTROVERSIAL CALL BACKED
Legendary halfback Cooper Cronk has backed the Bunker’s controversial choice at hand the Raiders an important penalty with three minutes left within the recreation.
As the scores sat 20-14, Jordan Rapana regarded to have dropped the ball however upon overview it turned clear he was caught by Martin Taupau’s head within the knee.
Blood poured from the winger’s head and upon overview, Canberra had been handed a penalty.
Commentator Dan Ginnane mentioned he was not sure how Taupau was meant to keep away from making contact with the ducking Rapana, however Cronk mentioned the Bunker made the fitting name.
“I actually agree with it, yes it was a complete accident, yes there was Taupau to pull out of it, but the way the game is played nowadays, there needs to be care from the player inflicting the injury,” Cronk mentioned.
“Whether it is a high shot or anything else, completely accidental, worrying concerns for Jordan Rapana but I agree with the penalty because a player was put in a dangerous position.
Mal Meninga echoed Cronk’s opinion and said it simply comes down to duty of care.
“Unintentional, he did hit him, he hit him in the head and there’s duty of care… certainly unintentional,” Meninga mentioned.
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Source: www.foxsports.com.au