Raiders slip past the Eels
CANBERRA have equalled their best start to an NRL season in 14 years after defeating Parramatta 19-0 at Canberra Stadium last night.
The Raiders improved their record to 4-1 and remain third on the ladder after overcoming a frustrating start and keeping a team scoreless at home for the first time since 2013.
The Eels’ defeat was compounded by the loss of star recruit Blake Ferguson, who left the field early in the second half with suspected broken ribs.
Ferguson had been averaging more than 200 run metres per game this season.
Canberra didn’t survive the match unscathed either with lock Joe Tapine going off with syndesmosis and will have further scans today.
Parramatta hadn’t won in the capital since 2006 and were their own worst enemies in the first half, completing just eight sets, missing 27 tackles and making nine errors.
The Raiders had all possession and territory in the opening 40 minutes but only scored one try, through Josh Papalii, while Jarrod Croker added a penalty for an 8-0 lead at the break.