Canberra Raiders

Warriors won't sleep on Canberra's left

After the Green Machine's right side of Jordan Rapana, Joseph Leilua and Elliott Whitehead tore the Gold Coast Titans apart in last week's 46-16 victory, scoring five of the Raiders' eight tries and making a combined 26 tackle breaks, it comes as little surprise that they have dominated much of the pre-match discussion.

Arthur's frustration at patchy, impatient Parra

The visitors had less than a third of the ball through the first 12 minutes of the game but had only conceded one try and when the tide began to turn they quickly levelled the scores with a superb four-pointer to Bevan French.

But as soon as they had returned to level terms with the Raiders the Eels dropped their guard and the resulting three tries in the space of seven minutes that they conceded gave them an assignment that would prove to be too challenging.

No excuses for rueful Raiders

Canberra appeared to run out of energy in the second half as the defending premiers piled on five unanswered tries before Jack Wighton pegged one back in the dying stages.

Kata, Rapana to debut for Kiwis

The pair have been selected in the starting line-up by new head coach David Kidwell, in a 19-man team that includes seven changes from side that lost 16-0 to the Kangaroos in the Anzac Test in May.

Among those changes is the return of 17-test veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who last wore the Kiwis jersey at the 2013 World Cup.

Hooker Issac Luke - who is the most-capped player in the side - will play his 37th test for the Kiwis on Saturday after he missed the May Test due to poor form.

Raiders punish Warriors

Canberra dominated the majority of the 80 minutes, scoring three tries directly from Warriors handling errors in their own half, on a night where they crossed for six four-pointers in greasy conditions.

Up 22-0 at the break, the Green Machine didn't let up in the second period, as they registered their first win in their last six games against the Kiwi side.

The early minutes suggested a grinding affair was on the cards, but once Canberra got over the top of the Warriors' pack in the middle the points quickly followed.

McCrone not bitter over Raiders exit

Unwanted by Canberra after 133 games with the club, McCrone signed a two-year deal with the Dragons in October, adding depth and versatility to McGregor's squad with his ability to play halfback, five-eighth or hooker.

The former Temora Dragons junior spent seven years with the Raiders but was keen for a change of scenery after playing just four games in 2015 under coach Ricky Stuart.

"I'm happy Mary (McGregor) has given me the opportunity to come here and start fresh," McCrone said after Monday morning's training session in Wollongong.