R1 Preview - Raiders v Wests Tigers

[Tigerwould]

[link text](https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/05/raiders-v-wests-tigers-croker-a-chance-mbye-doubtful/)

Croker a chance; Mbye doubtful

From NRL.com

Canberra will be heavy favourites against Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium but their opponents come into the clash with superb trial form.

After making the grand final in 2019 and the preliminary final last year, the Raiders enter the new season as one of the genuine title contenders.

The Tigers have undergone an overhaul in the off-season under coach Michael Maguire and despite missing a few players due to injuries and suspensions, they enter the game on the back of an emphatic trial win over Manly.

They racked up a 52-18 drubbing of the Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval with halfback Luke Brooks controlling proceedings, new fullback Daine Laurie impressing in his club debut and second-rower Luciano Leilua causing havoc on the edges.

The rundown
Team news
Raiders: Co-captain Jarrod Croker (shoulder) has been given the all-clear to resume full squad training and is a chance of being fit for the season opener after it was initially feared he would be out for the first month.

Forward duo Corey Horsburgh and Corey Harawira-Naera are unlikely to be selected by coach Ricky Stuart, who said he was set to drop them after they were charged with drink-driving offences in the off-season.

Wests Tigers: Moses Mbye is no certainty to make the trip to Canberra due to a hamstring concern while Adam Doueihi and Zane Musgrove are out suspended.

Back-rower Shawn Blore won't be available until round six after recently undergoing wrist surgery.

 

[frullens]

Stat attack
The Tigers were the best in the NRL for decoy runs in 2020 - they registered 1124 over the course of the Telstra Premiership season but it didn't necessarily translate into a points advantage with Maguire's squad ranking eighth overall in scoring.

Packer was responsible for 1123 🤣

 

[twentyforty]

Stat attack
The Tigers were the best in the NRL for decoy runs in 2020 - they registered 1124 over the course of the Telstra Premiership season but it didn't necessarily translate into a points advantage with Maguire's squad ranking eighth overall in scoring.

Packer was responsible for 1123 🤣

That high number of pointless decoy runs is interesting because too often the decoy looks more like a decoy than a serious option. 😂

 

[Toowoomba_Tiger]

I hate the decoy run when it's nothing but that. Just plain obvious most of the time and somewhat a waste of energy. Attacking the try line fair enough, but mid field I want runners around the ball, but all players pushing up should be genuine options to pass to and they need to be ready to take the pass.
We seen quite a few times last year blokes knocking on because their only focus was the decoy run. Rugby league sin imo

 

[BZN]

Stat attack
The Tigers were the best in the NRL for decoy runs in 2020 - they registered 1124 over the course of the Telstra Premiership season but it didn't necessarily translate into a points advantage with Maguire's squad ranking eighth overall in scoring.

Packer was responsible for 1123 🤣

:flushed: :joy_cat: :joy: :rolling_on_the_floor_laughing: :rolling_on_the_floor_laughing: :rolling_on_the_floor_laughing: :upside_down_face:

 

[hank37w]

Stat attack
The Tigers were the best in the NRL for decoy runs in 2020 - they registered 1124 over the course of the Telstra Premiership season but it didn't necessarily translate into a points advantage with Maguire's squad ranking eighth overall in scoring.

Packer was responsible for 1123 ?


That high number of pointless decoy runs is interesting because too often the decoy looks more like a decoy than a serious option. ?

We could always put a wooden duck out there.

Some of those decoys look like the real deal.

 

[Geo]

I’d like to see the Player in Motion Stat

 

[DGilly]

We used a lot of decoys to get forwards in 1 on 1 situations so they could get quick play the balls.

Good strategy - might actually work well this year now we have a forward pack

 

[Tigerwould]

I’d like to see the Player in Motion Stat

Yes!
The Stat Would Have to be a team stat though.
05 we were the best .
Six players in motion at any one time..(only one receiving the ball).
Genius with an S in front.

 

[Tigerwould]

Our Captain has his work cut out against Canberra
[link text](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-rush-hour-with-mg/id1339008791?i=1000511770594)

 

[Deleted member 3518]

We used a lot of decoys to get forwards in 1 on 1 situations so they could get quick play the balls.

Good strategy - might actually work well this year now we have a forward pack

We used a lot of decoys to get forwards in 1 on 1 situations so they could get quick play the balls.

Good strategy - might actually work well this year now we have a forward pack

It didn’t work last year because guys receiving the ball were players like Clarke, Too young seyfarth , and works real hard but a little too small McIntyre . Throw in Mika taking the season off , and yea that’s the biggest issue with it around the ruck .

 

[tig_prmz]

Decoys don't do anything if they aren't genuine options.

Run hard, tackle hard. End of set, kick and establish field position. Keep it simple for Rd 1.

 

[TrueTiger]

If the WTs get the Raiders on the back foot early,then they will win the game....Raiders will think it will be an easy game because of previous encounters and the home ground advantage....unfortunately for them this is a completely new and hardened WTs outfit ready to kill....

 

[SeanT]

If the WTs get the Raiders on the back foot early,then they will win the game....Raiders will think it will be an easy game because of previous encounters and the home ground advantage....unfortunately for them this is a completely new and hardened WTs outfit ready to kill....

Doubtful. They have had the same side for awhile now. They already have experience with each other especially in the spine.

We are a new team Nd I believe we will not lose as such, they will have to beat us. But ft they should win. Canberra 28-16.

 

[hank37w]

Tigers, finally 25-18.

Packer field goal 20m out and in front.

Just wait for the celebration. . . . . . . . .Yay.

 

[Aesopian]

Tigers, finally 25-18.

Packer field goal 20m out and in front.

Just wait for the celebration. . . . . . . . .Yay.


 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Wests Tigers have a 19-19 head to head record over the Canberra Raiders since 2000.
Up the lads

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Raiders will be heavy favourites against Wests Tigers at GIO Stadium but their opponents come into the clash with superb trial form. Jamie Soward previews the game
https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/03/12/raiders-v-wests-tigers---round-1/