The full extent of Canberra’s collapses late in matches revealed following loss to New Zealand

CANBERRA’S recent collapses are part of a problem that stretches back to Ricky Stuart’s first year with the club as the Raiders continue to lose matches which seem unlosable.

BATHURST, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 10: Raiders coach Ricky Stuart watches on from the bench during the round 14 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Canberra Raiders at Carrington Park on June 10, 2017 in Bathurst, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

IT’S the embarrassing statistic that the Canberra Raiders just can’t hide from any longer.

Since Ricky Stuart took over as coach in 2014, the Raiders have the worst record of any NRL team when it comes to nailing close games.

In matches decided by six points or less, they have only managed to win nine of 36, a strike rate of just 25 per cent.

It puts them below Newcastle who have finished with the last three wooden spoons (10 wins from 31).

In comparison, Canterbury and Melbourne have the equal best record with 26 wins from 41 games. As Brad Fittler said on Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, Stuart needs to forget about referees and find a way to teach his players not to “panic”.

The Raiders have lost three games by a combined total of five points.

While the Raiders’ effort against the Warriors on Saturday could not be questioned _ and they did have a controversial obstruction no try call go against them_ the fact is they still let a seven-point lead slip in the final four minutes to go down by one point.

It was the third straight week Canberra had squandered a late lead and comes on the back of losing eight games by six points or less last year.

Fittler has no doubt the issue “is totally mental” and “they have to learn not to panic”.

Fittler also made a valid point when he explained how the Raiders did not score after Nick Cotric’s try.

The week earlier against Newcastle, Canberra also tried to slow down the game when they looked to be heading to victory but it came back to bite them.

Canberra’s year is rapidly slipping away.

“They had plenty of ball,” Fittler said.

“BJ Leilua is playing well. Jack Wighton is playing well. So their attacking players were playing well. But they just can’t get the ball over the line. So it is totally mental.”

No doubt losing the injured Josh Hodgson has had a huge impact on them. People seem to forget Hodgson’s absence.

The Englishman might not be Cameron Smith but he is still the second best dummy half in the game.

There is no way Canberra can be expected to be near their best without him. Even so, in their opening three games they have had themselves in a position to win and came up empty.

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Stuart said post match how the Raiders handle the disappointment would define their season. This is where the halves need to take ownership.

Whether it be Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin or Sam Williams, they could do worse than look at the Warriors and the way Shaun Johnson and Blake Green refused to give up and just found a way to win.

That’s how the Raiders used to play. When they were flying in 2016, what everyone fell in love with was the way they just never stopped playing, no matter what the score.

On Saturday night they clocked off early for the third straight week.

As questionable as the no try ruling against Junior Paulo was, it is not the reason they lost.

Originally published as The full extent of Canberra’s collapses late in matches revealed following loss to New Zealand