Both the New Zealand Warriors and the Raiders have, thus far, defied the majority of preseason projections, but for very different reasons.
The Warriors were predicted to compete for a spot in the top four this season, but after losing heartbreakingly to the Storm in the final seconds of the previous game, they are one of four teams without a win through the first two weeks of play.
The Raiders, on the other hand, were largely underdogs going into the first round but have emerged as one of the top teams of the season after easily defeating the Knights and Wests Tigers.
In addition to the psychological damage from the Warriors’ defeat in Melbourne last Saturday, Dylan Walker was gone this week, and hooker Wayde Egan was given an opportunity to recover from an elbow injury against the Raiders.
Seb Kris sustained a concussion in the second round and will miss Canberra’s matches. Jordan Rapana was sent for a head injury evaluation following a late head contact.
