Match day guide and preview for the Canberra Raiders 2022 NRL round 12 game against the Eels.
Match details
Who: Canberra Raiders vs Parramatta Eels
When: Sunday 29 May 4.05pm
Where: GIO Stadium Canberra
Weather: min 2 max 14, chance of rain 10%
Head-to-head record: Played 61. Raiders 32 wins. Eels 29 wins.
Team lists
Halfback Jamal Fogarty will make his first appearance for the Raiders are after joining the club during the off-season. Jarrod Croker was initially named in the side but suffered a dislocated shoulder while reportedly reaching for the remote at home on Tuesday night. Seb Kris will replace him at centre, with James Schiller coming onto the bench.
Parramatta have brought Waqa Blake back onto the wing, while Maika Sivo has been named on the extended bench and could be a late inclusion.
Click here for the full team lists.
Season so far
Raiders 9th | 190 points for | 223 points against | 5 wins & 6 losses | WWWLL
The Raiders have rediscovered some of their best form over the past few weeks, and head into this home blockbuster on a three-game win streak.
The first of those wins was a scrap against the Bulldogs, but the last two week’s have seen the Raiders play at a level they haven’t reached in quite some time.
They’ve hit the 30 point mark the last two weeks against Cronulla and South Sydney, but their defence has been just as good, restricting both teams to just two tries.
The signs have been terrific over the past fortnight and this clash against a good side in Parramatta gives the Raiders another chance to prove they are top 8 contenders once again.
Eels 6th | 281 points for | 233 points against | 7 wins & 4 losses | WLWLW
The Eels are a difficult side to get a read on, with their best footy capable of beating anyone, while their worst can see them drop games they simply shouldn’t.
They were somewhat fortunate to get the win over Manly last week, but it was a gutsy effort to find a winner in the dying minutes and the clutch kick from Mitchell Moses was sensational.
Their roster is certainly that of a top four side, with a talented spine that has played plenty of footy together and a forward pack boasting a number of stars.
The Eels are just missing the consistency required to be considered a top tier side, and this match shapes as a a danger game for the club.
Last 5 meetings and GIO Stadium history
- 2021 round 19: Eels 10 – 12 Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium
- 2021 round 6: Raiders 10 – 35 Eels at GIO Stadium
- 2020 round 7: Eels 25 – 24 Raiders at Bankwest Stadium
- 2019 round 15: Eels 22 – 16 Raiders at TIO Stadium Darwin
- 2019 round 5: Raiders 19 – 0 Eels at GIO Stadium
These two have been evenly matched over the last five encounters, with the Eels holding a 3-2 edge, while three of the games have been decided by a converted try or less.
The Eels smashed the Raiders in Canberra in their first meeting last year, before the Raiders got some revenge with a tense two-point win late in the season.
Parramatta’s win in Canberra last year was their first victory in the nation’s capital since 1 July 2006, with the Raiders winning nine in a row before that clash.
Player spotlight
Hudson Young
After an indifferent start to the year, Young has struck a rich vein of form and has been one of the Raiders’ best over their recent win streak.
The 23-year-old had a stellar game against the Rabbitohs last week, scoring a try, making two line breaks and dishing off a line break assist to grab two Dally M votes.
While he can get through plenty of work, Young has also shown plenty of skill for a big man, with his no look pass to Tom Starling to set up a try last week a highlight of the season.
Canberra will need Young to continue his outstanding form as they come up against a quality Eels boasting a number of talented back rowers.
Isaiah Papali’i
Papali’i had his breakout season last year after moving from New Zealand to Parramatta and has continued that form so far in 2022.
He is averaging 155m run per game and has been destructive in attack with five tries, six line breaks and 44 tackle breaks.
He’s spent the bulk of the last 18 months playing second row but has been named at lock this week so it will be interesting to see exactly where he lines up.
Whether he’s on the edge or playing through the middle, the Raiders will need to be at their best defensively to stop Papali’i.s
Indigenous Round
This weekend is Indigenous Round in the NRL that celebrates the Indigenous people and culture.
Both teams will be wearing special Indigenous jerseys and there will be a Welcome to Country before the match.
The Raiders have five Indigenous players in their starting team on Sunday. Xavier Savage (Indigenous, Torres Strait), Jack Wighton (Indigenous), Jamal Fogarty (Indigenous), Adam Elliott (Indigenous) and Sebastian Kris (Torres Strait).
Pre match predictions
FOGhorn LEGhorn: Jamal Fogarty to set up a try with a kick in his Raiders debut. Raiders by 2
Game of two halves: Jack and Jamal to hit the ground running with a try and try assist between them in their first NRL match as a halves pair. Raiders by 8. – Denholm Samaras
Other match details
The NRL match will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and Fox League channel 502 at 4pm. It is also available to stream on Kayo. Overseas fans can watch via Watch NRL.
You can listen to the match on Raiders on Mix (Mix106.3 FM), Radio 2CC (1206 AM) and ABC Grandstand (666 ABC AM).
Gates open at 11.50am.
Jersey Flegg – Raiders vs Eels at 12.05pm
NSW Cup – Raiders vs Eels at 1.45pm
Have any pre match predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.
