Gritty Raiders win against the odds
THIS wasn’t supposed to happen. The nerve of you, Canberra.
The depleted Raiders were supposed to succumb to the mighty premiers like most before them over the past three years. The audacity and cheek. Let’s look at the facts. Canberra was playing the red hot premiers and competition favourites with six players unavailable through injury.
The Raiders were playing away from home and had to fly up and back to Sydney in a day. And it was all achieved after a five-day turnaround.
Through two stellar solo tries, one to a Samoan, the other to an Englishman, Canberra secured a major 24-20 upset over the Sydney Roosters at the SCG on Thursday night.
British halfback George Williams scored a solo try as did big Josh Papalii to stun the Roosters.
The scores rocked back and forth throughout a pulsating game.
Everything and everyone was against the Raiders – except the Raiders themselves, who never lost belief. Resilient in defence, Canberra’s middle third played tough.
Canberra played without injured players Josh Hodgson, Sia Soliola, John Bateman, Corey Horsburgh, Bailey Simonsson and Curtis Scott with Semi Valemei making his Raiders debut.
Jack Wighton was strong offensively and defensively.
Papalii was taken from the field from an HIA test after just six minutes of the match.
He returned soon after and went on to score the matchwinner.
Canberra players walked towards the old SCG hill after full-time to cheer to a handful of Raiders fans who drove three hours each way – and sat through rain – to watch their heroes.
It was the first game between the two teams since referee Ben Cummins’ now infamous “six again” call which led to a Roosters try and subsequent 14-8 win in last year’s grand final.
The Roosters lost few admirers. Yes they lost but again showed the quality and skill of a side eyeing off a three-peat.
Winger Brett Morris slipped over for two first-half tries while brother Josh set up another in the second half for winger Matt Ikuvalu.