RAIDERS HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW TO WIN
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At 16-0 against a Knights side squandering opportunity after opportunity, the Raiders looked relatively untroubled in the first half. And although their cause wasn't helped by injuries to two forwards in Ryan Sutton and Joe Tapine, their continued inability to close out games from winning positions in second halves is a massive concern after slumping to their fifth straight loss. Canberra also gave up a 24-6 lead against North Queensland in Townsville earlier this season. They had their chances to seal the deal, including centre Sebastian Kris being held up over the line with the score at 16-6 when he perhaps should have passed to his winger Bailey Simonsson. Fullback Caleb Aekins also failed to ground a grubber kick in-goal with less than ten minutes left, and Jordan Rapana kicked inside on the second tackle after a break, when he should have taken the tackle ten metres from Newcastle's line.
EARLY PENALTY GOAL A SIGN OF A LACK OF CONFIDENCE
Canberra dominated possession and territory early in the match and took the lead with a George Williams penalty goal, but the decision to take a second one for a 4-0 lead was a head scratcher. The Knights were under sustained pressure on their own line and it was a sign of the Raiders' lack of confidence and reluctance to back themselves they didn't go for the try. In contrast, a short kick-off to start the second half by Newcastle when down 16-0 sent a message they meant business.
WILLIAMS BACK AND FIRING
Canberra Raiders halfback George Williams has been in the news this week after reportedly suffering homesickness, but the English playmaker certainly showed no signs of discontent after missing last week with a hamstring strain. On another forgettable day for the Raiders he was involved in everything, with his attacking kicking game causing Newcastle all sorts of issues, especially early.. One of his bombs was dropped by Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga just before halt-time, and he made him pay with a superb cut-out pass off the scrum to send winger Bailey Simonsson over the in the corner. If he keeps playing like that, the Raiders will be desperate to keep him in the capital.
MISTAKES IN ATTACK COST KNIGHTS
Newcastle are down on confidence after losing four of their previous five games, and it certainly showed in the first half. They made four errors in Canberra's 20-metre zone to let the Raiders right off the hook. At one point Ponga had a three-on-two down the Raiders' right edge and couldn't execute, while another try to Enari Tuala was called back for a clear obstruction on Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton. The Raiders took time to find their feet in their attacking zone too, but tries to Joe Tapine and Simonsson toward the back end of the first half was just reward for their hard work.
SUTTON AND TAPINE INJURIES COULD TEST DEPTH
Forward depth is one of Canberra's biggest strengths, and it will be tested after Sutton left the field with an elbow injury in the first half, and Tapine with a suspected medial injury in the second half. Both players had a relatively strong impact off the bench before being forced off. It certainly didn't help the Raiders' cause as Newcastle launched a second half comeback. Canberra have the arsenal to replace them in Dunamis Lui, Ryan James and Sia Soliola but Sutton in particular is having a career-best year for the Green Machine and will be a loss in coming weeks.
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