Tigers v Raiders preview

Wests Tigers v Canberra Raiders
Leichhardt Oval - Sunday 2:00pm

Will the Tigers be able to lift at Leichhardt or will the Raiders be able to send Dane Tilse out a winner?

The Tigers will be looking to turn around their inconsistent form with a strong showing at their spiritual home ground Leichhardt Oval. After keeping pace with the Warriors for 70 minutes last week, the Tigers inexperience ultimately cost them victory. Coach Jason Taylor has stuck with the same side from the past two encounters with the addition of Joel Luani on an extended bench. The Tigers will be hoping their recent form against Canberra will serve them well having won 10 of the past 12 encounters, while the last time they met the Raiders at Leichardt in 2010, they were able to come away with a late 18-8 victory.

After a strong showing against Melbourne in defeat, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will be hoping his side can build upon their mixed performances to finish on top of Canberra. Despite doubts over the fitness of Josh Hodgson and Shaun Fensom, the Raiders have maintained the same side as last week with Jordan Rapana serving as 18th man. Former Tiger Blake Austin will be out to show his former side wrong after signing a three-year deal with Canberra in the off-season. The Raiders will also have the motivation to send departing forward Dane Tilse out a winner after signing with English club Hull KR as a direct replacement for former Raider Michael Weyman.

Last meeting: Round 25 2014 - Canberra Raiders 27 Wests Tigers 12

Who to watch: The last time he came up against the Raiders, James Tedesco endured one of the most bizarre injuries seen in an NRL game. From the kickoff, Tedesco suffered yet another knee injury that ruled him out for the remainder of 2014, effectively ending the Tigers hopes of finals bid. Since his comeback, Tedesco has been outstanding at the back, averaging a try a game, the Tigers number one will be out to show the Raiders what they missed out on after reneging on a deal to join the Raiders last year.

After 10 seasons and 200 games for the Raiders it all ends on Sunday for Dane Tilse. Having joined the club in controversial circumstances in 2006, the 200 centimetre front rower has been a staple of the Raiders forward pack ever since. While he never had the opportunity to represent his state or country, he will go down as a Raiders legend, finishing up as the 9th longest serving Raider in their 33-year history. If all goes to plan on Sunday, the Scone junior may even have an opportunity to usurp Jarrod Croker and attempt a conversion.

The favourite: While the Tigers were only able win two from five last year at Leichhardt, they will be hoping a packed out crowd will be the difference.

My tip: With both sides failing to display any consistency so far in 2015, expect the emotion of the day to be the difference. Dane Tilse to score the match winning try. Raiders by 6.

1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. Tim Simona 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Pat Richards 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Kyle Lovett 13. Martin Taupau
Interchange: 14. Dene Halatau 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Jack Buchanan 17. Sauaso Sue 18. Joel Luani

1. Jack Wighton 2. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Sisa Waqa 5. Jeremy Hawkins 6. Blake Austin 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dane Tilse 11. Jarrad Kennedy 12. Iosia Soliola 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Glen Buttriss 15. Frank Paul Nuuausala 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Mark Nicholls 18. Jordan Rapana

Referees: Henry Perenara, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, Anthony Elliott; Video Referees: Matt Cecchin, Luke Patten;

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