Ricky Stuart is encouraging Canberra to embrace the nerves and pressure of a crunch clash with Cronulla that could decide whether the Raiders sneak into the NRL finals.
If North Queensland defeat Penrith on Saturday night, the Raiders must upset the Sharks in their final regular-season game to overcome their inferior points differential and clinch a top-eight berth.
If the Panthers beat the Cowboys, the Raiders will qualify for the finals regardless of their own result on Sunday.
Either way, the Raiders will earn hosting rights for a home elimination final next weekend if they can beat the Sharks.
The boom-or-bust scenario feels an apt finish to a chaotic regular season for the Raiders, who have won all 13 of their games so far by 12 points or fewer.
Stuart encouraged his side not to think too hard about their finals fate.
“We’ve just got to go and play as we normally do,” Stuart said.
“Obviously there’s a lot at stake on this game but we can’t be thinking about the outcome, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got all our processes and our patterns of play correct.
“I don’t want them going out thinking about anything else but playing well. Thinking about outcomes and ‘what-ifs’ will only be a hindrance.”
Key middle forwards Corey Horsburgh (suspension) and Josh Papali’i (bicep injury) drop out of the side for what shapes as Canberra’s most important game of the year.
Stuart will hand an NRL debut to Penrith junior Hohepa Puru and will rely on Ata Mariota and Emre Guler stepping up in the middle as well.
He hinted the inexperienced Trey Mooney could also come into the side.
“I’m hoping that you’re going to be watching some development of the future of players for the next era – Trey Mooney, Ata Mariota, Pep (Puru), Emre Guler,” Stuart said.
“We’ve been very fortunate in the middle with injuries this year.
“The opportunity for our younger middles to play first grade hasn’t come any sooner so they get their opportunity in a very important part of the season.”
Stuart conceded those opportunities could bring nerves with them.
“But honestly I see nerves as a good thing for players, whether you’re a senior player or a young player,” Stuart said.
“Being nervous shows me that you care. I get nervous before each game because I care.
“Pressure is a great sign for me to see if young players can handle pressure. I don’t hide the fact that there’s pressure there.
“If you can’t handle pressure, you’re not going to last in my job or in the NRL.”
