NRL 2025 LIVE: Raiders lead Bulldogs in top-of-the-table clash

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Raiders strike first through Hosking

It’s the perfect start for Canberra, with Zac Hosking – a late addition to the starting side at prop in place of the injured Corey Horsburgh – crashes over from close range to give the hosts an early lead. Joseph Tapine has been strong through the middle in the first few minutes for the Raiders and they lead 6-0 with Jamal Fogarty slotting the simple conversion.

Raiders lead 6-0 after five minutes

Kick-off

And we’re off. The Bulldogs kick off and Joseph Tapine takes the first carry of the game for Canberra. The first few hits are loud but the crowd is louder – it’s a fantastic atmosphere at GIO Stadium today.

The Dogs have the better off the opening two sets, reaching the Raiders’ 40-metre line on the fifth tackle, but Matt Burton’s last-tackle bomb is caught in the in-goal by Xavier Savage and Canberra get a seven-tackle set.

Raiders 0, Bulldogs 0 after two minutes

First regular season sell-out in Canberra since Meninga’s farewell

Daley gives big clue about Latrell’s Origin return

By Christian Nicolussi

NSW coach Laurie Daley has given his strongest indication yet that Latrell Mitchell is on track to return to the Origin arena, declaring: “If Latrell is fit, he’s going to be hard to leave out.”

Mitchell was the star for South Sydney on Friday night when he nailed a 49-metre two-point field goal against the Broncos, scored a try and came up with two stunning try-saving tackles, on Broncos giant Payne Haas and flyer Deine Mariner.

Souths and former Queensland coach Wayne Bennett was bemused by suggestions Mitchell was not a certainty to play for the Blues, saying: “I can tell you everyone in Queensland will be happy if he doesn’t play for NSW.”

Mitchell is a front-runner for the left centre spot when the Origin series kicks off at Suncorp Stadium on May 28. Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton looms as the favourite for right centre, but Daley also has Manly’s Tom Trbojevic and Newcastle’s Bradman Best as options.

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Your say – Canberra or Canterbury?

The team lists: Raiders v Bulldogs

Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 15. Zac Hosking 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies.
Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 19. Simi Sasagi

Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Viliame Kikau 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann.
Bench: 15. Harry Hayes 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Bailey Hayward 21. Lipoi Hopoi

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Super Saturday which kicks off with a belter of a contest between the league-leading Bulldogs up against the second-placed Raiders.

Canberra and Canterbury go head-to-head at GIO Stadium from 3pm, with each side a little weaker in the forwards. Queensland Origin prop Corey Horsburgh is out for the Green Machine with concussion while the Bulldogs have lost star second-rower Jacob Preston to a four-match suspension.

Ricky Stuart’s men have won five games on the trot while the Dogs have lost just once so far this season, and have five-eighth Matt Burton back from suspension in a major boost.

Later today the Dragons face the Warriors and North Queensland host Penrith in Townsville. Should be a cracking afternoon of footy.