NRL News
Raiders bounce back to slaughter Wests Tigers
Predicted cellar dwellers the Canberra Raiders have come back from a horror defeat last week to comprehensively beat a full strength Wests Tigers outfit.
The Raiders were laughed at when a combined Redcliffe-Broncos side last weekend beat them in an NRL trial match, and was a crushing blow for coach Neil Henry.
But tonight they had the last laugh by comfortably brushing aside a Tigers side boasting stars Benji Marshall, John Morris and Robbie Farah in their starting side for the first time.
Adding injury to insult, Tigers back rower Liam Fulton – who has re-signed until the end of 2010 – was stretchered off early in the second half after being concussed in a tackle.
The Tigers would have feared the worst when the stretcher was called for Fulton after the premiership-winning back rower only returned to full fitness from a shoulder injury suffered in the opening 2006 NRL round.
All eyes were on Marshall as he made his starting debut following his eight month recovery from a second major shoulder operation.
While Marshall tried hard all night, the bulked up pivot's reconstructed shoulders could not carry the Tigers, who were swept aside five tries to one including a double to Raiders fullback Marshall Chalk.
The loss was hardly the tonic the Tigers needed as they prepare for a daunting opening round clash against Melbourne Storm in Melbourne on March 16.
In contrast, the Raiders needed a lift before they opened their NRL account against Manly at Brookvale Oval on March 17.
After the Tigers trailed 12-0 at half-time, Taniela Tuiaki crashed over for a soft try in the 48th minute to give them a sniff.
But Canberra bounced back 13 minutes later when 20-year-old halfback Michael Dobson's deft pass set up a sideline try to Chalk.
Canberra was over again when Phil Graham (67th minute) latched onto a Marshall miss-kick and ran 80m to score before Chalk bagged his double in the 73rd.
CANBERRA RAIDERS 26 (M Chalk 2 C Best J Miller P Graham tries; T Carney 2, M Dobson goals)WESTS TIGERS 4 (T Tuiaki try)
Referee: Ben Cummins.
Crowd: 5000 (approx) at Davies Park, Brisbane
