A desperate play from Canberra’s Jordan Rapana has secured the Raiders a nail-biting 12-10 NRL win over the Parramatta Eels on the Gold Coast.
The Eels looked set to complete a dramatic comeback as winger Maika Sivo charged for the corner on the last play of the match only for Rapana’s diving lunge to push the Fijian flyer into touch.
The Raiders came into the game without star five-eighth Jack Wighton and were dealt a massive blow in the first half with Josh Papalii failing an HIA. The Queensland front-rower managed just 8 minutes of action after coming off the bench, but his teammates lifted without their main man to help secure a crucial win for Canberra.
After the first scoreless first-half in the NRL since the opening round of the 2019 season, Canberra opened proceedings at CBUS Super Stadium through Corey Harawira-Naera in the 45th minute.
A heads-up play from dummy-half by Rapana in the 53rd minute extended Canberra’s lead before the Eels struck back with a long-range effort of their own.
Winger Blake Ferguson, making his first appearance since round 12, sprinted clear from inside his own half down the right before kicking ahead where Dylan Brown won the race to get the Eels on the board.
Parramatta dominated the game’s closing stages as they pushed to level the scores but a resolute Canberra defence held firm.
But just when it looked like the Raiders’ had held out, the Eels scored a controversial try with just three minutes to play as Sivo grounded the ball in the left corner after it appeared Dylan Brown was offside in the lead up.
Eels’ captain Clint Gutherson had the chance to level scores but missed a tough conversion from the sideline.
That set up a grandstand finish where Sivo nearly stole the game for the Eels only to be denied by Rapana’s desperation.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was thrilled with the win and said it was built on determination.
“That’s always been in the jumper, that type of grit, that type of want to win,” Stuart said.
“Some games it’s missing and you’ve got to work hard as a coach to get it but that’s why I get upset when we lose because I know what these blokes have got underneath the jumper.
“It’s why I love coaching them. You see wins like that tonight, that’s just pure grit and want.”
Rapana was outstanding for the Raiders all night at fullback, finishing the match with 261 metres, 15 tackle breaks, 2 line breaks and a try.
Joe Tapine was the pick of the Raiders forwards with 157 metres and 45 tackles at 100% efficiency.
Parramatta finished the match down a man on the bench after Marata Niukore (knee) failed to feature in the second half.
Canberra lock Ryan Sutton (sternum) also failed to finish the game. Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson was also placed on report in the game’s opening minutes for a high tackle.
The Raiders have now won three straight games for the first time in 2021 and find themselves in eighth spot on the ladder with the remaining seven matches still to be played in round 19.
AAP
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