The Raiders have been boosted by the return of their coach and two stars for the club’s crucial match against the Knights in Newcastle on Sunday 21 August.
Joe Tapine returns from a rib injury that saw him miss Canberra’s 24-22 victory over the Dragons on Saturday, while Nick Cotric is back from suspension.
Tapine’s inclusion sees Emre Guler move to the bench and Ryan Sutton drop out of the 17, while Albert Hopoate makes way for Cotric.
Ricky Stuart will also be back on deck to coach the Raiders after serving his one-week ban.
Canberra currently sit in the 9th spot on the ladder and will need to win their remaining three matches and have other results go their way to play finals.
Meanwhile, the Knights have stood down outside backs Bradman Best and Enari Tuala after they were late for the team bus on matchday ahead of the club’s loss to the Broncos last weekend.
Tuala has been replaced on the wing by former Raider Edrick Lee, with 19-year-old Krystian Mapapalangi to make his NRL debut in place of Best. David Klemmer returns in the front row after recovering from a knee issue.
Raiders and Knights team lists
| RAIDERS | KNIGHTS | |
| Xavier Savage | 1 | Tex Hoy |
| Nick Cotric | 2 | Edrick Lee |
| Matthew Timoko | 3 | Dane Gagai |
| Sebastian Kris | 4 | Krystian Mapapalangi |
| Jordan Rapana | 5 | Dominic Young |
| Jack Wighton | 6 | Anthony Milford |
| Jamal Fogarty | 7 | Adam Clune |
| Josh Papalii | 8 | David Klemmer |
| Zac Woolford | 9 | Jayden Brailey |
| Joe Tapine | 10 | Daniel Saifiti |
| Hudson Young | 11 | Tyson Frizell |
| Elliott Whitehead | 12 | Brodie Jones |
| Adam Elliott | 13 | Jacob Saifiti |
| BENCH | BENCH | |
| Tom Starling | 14 | Phoenix Crossland |
| Emre Guler | 15 | Pasami Saulo |
| Corey Horsburgh | 16 | Simi Sasagi |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 17 | Mat Croker |
| RESERVES | RESERVES | |
| Albert Hopoate | 18 | Sauaso Sue |
| Ata Mariota | 19 | Chris Randall |
| Matt Frawley | 20 | Jack Johns |
| Ryan Sutton | 21 | Oryn Keeley |
| Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad | 22 | Hymel Hunt |
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