The Raiders will be looking to make it three wins on the trot when they take on the Roosters in Canberra.

Match details

• Who: Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters
• When: Saturday 25 May, 3pm AEST
• Where: GIO Stadium, Canberra
• Weather: min 2, max 16
• Click here for tickets.
• Head-to-head record (1982-now): Played 70. Raiders 32 wins. Roosters 38 wins.

Team lists

The Raiders have lost Josh Papali’i to suspension, with Guler named to start in the front row and Hola coming onto the bench.

The Roosters lose Connor Watson to injury, with Sandon Smith coming onto the bench. Radley has been named in the second row with Whyte named to return at lock.

Referee: Todd Smith

Season so far

Raiders: 6th (6-4)| 214 points for, 224 points against | WBWLL

The Raiders have resurrected their season over the last two matches, producing two stirring comebacks to beat Manly and the Bulldogs.

Their Magic Round win over the Bulldogs was excellent. Despite being down 20-12 and having defended with 11-men at one stage, Ethan Strange and Hudson Young helped manufacture a second half fightback.

Despite a couple of injuries to key players, the Raiders keep finding a to stay in the finals hunt and would love to claim a big scalp at home in Tapine’s 200th NRL match.

Roosters: 7th (6-5) | 326 points for, 219 points against | LWWWL

The Roosters were in red-hot form before last week’s 38-30 loss to Cronulla in Brisbane, but they were right in the contest the entire match.

Canberra will be on high alert defensively, with the Roosters boasting a multitude of weapons that has them as the number one attacking side in the NRL.

They have scored a ridiculous 168 points over the last four weeks at an average of 42 points per game.

Despite an absolutely stacked roster, the Roosters can still dish up poor games from time to time, so hopefully this is one of those occasions.

Last 5 meetings and history at GIO Stadium

• 2023 round 17: Roosters 18 – 20 Raiders at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
• 2022 round 13: Raiders 22 – 16 Roosters at GIO Stadium
• 2021 round 25: Raiders 16 – 40 Roosters at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
• 2021 round 12: Roosters 44 – 16 Raiders at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
• 2020 Semi Final: Roosters 18 – 22 Raiders at SCG

Canberra has won their last two matches against the Roosters and three of the last five.

Last year’s encounter went down to the wire, with the Raiders holding on for a two-point win after leading 18-0 in the first half.

Of the last ten contests between these sides played at GIO Stadium, the Raiders hold a 6-4 advantage.

Players to watch

Raiders – Ethan Strange: Filling the shoes of Jack Wighton was always going to be a big task for the teenager, but Strange has had a brilliant first year in the halves and played his best game last week in Brisbane. He came up with two try assists to lead the second half comeback and was awarded 6 Dally M points.

Roosters – James Tedesco: Despite his strong form, there’s considerable debate about whether Teddy should retain his spot as the NSW fullback for this year’s Origin. He seems to be locked in a tight contest with Dylan Edwards, and with Michael Maguire announcing his team after this round, many are eager to see how Tedesco fares against Canberra.

Pre match predictions

Milestone man: Joe Tapine to score a try in his 200th NRL match. Roosters by 8.

One-off wonder: Raiders to break their one-off jersey/milestone hoodoo, pipping the Roosters by 4. – Denholm Samaras

Have any predictions of your own? Let us know in the comments below.

Other match details

The NRL match will be broadcast live on Fox League channel 502 and 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).