A Josh Hodgson masterclass has led Canberra to a 46-12 smashing of the Warriors

In one of the best displays of his NRL career, Canberra star Josh Hodgson has destroyed the Warriors as the Raiders ran out 46-12 winners.

Josh Hodgson of the Raiders during the Round 20, NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, August 2, 2019. (AAP Image/David Rowland) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

• FLYING OFF: Dogs target Manly star as priority signing

• LATE MAIL: Mixed news for Bunnies, Sharks boost

“I don’t think I’ve seen him play better”.

That was the stunning praise from one of the NRL’s greatest ever hookers Danny Buderus for Canberra’s livewire No 9 Josh Hodgson.

In Hodgson’s 100th NRL match, the Englishman turned on an absolute masterclass in the 46-12 flogging of the hapless New Zealand Warriors.

Setting up a mouth-watering showdown with the Sydney Roosters in Canberra next Sunday, Hodgson orchestrated the crushing eight tries to two demolition.

Live stream the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial.

Hodgson was in remarkable touch. AAP Image/David Rowland.

The win pushes the Raiders into second on the live NRL ladder on 28 competition points with South Sydney, although the Rabbitohs and Roosters could go back ahead of them with wins this weekend.

The Raiders have now won seven of their last eight games and will take on the Roosters as arguably the competition’s form team.

RICKY’S REVOLUTION

As second rate as the Warriors were, you couldn’t help but just sit back and enjoy the breathtaking performance from a team not many even had as top eight contenders this year.

They led 24-0 at halftime and were unlucky not to have scored a couple of more tries.

The Raiders made it look like they were having a training run against a local A grade side.

What can’t be disputed is that they are the real deal, and this match up against the Roosters could be one of the season’s highlights.

The last time the Raiders played the Roosters was at Suncorp Stadium back in Magic Round in early May when they almost produced a miracle comeback after a dreadful start.

LISTEN! Matty Johns talks to Cameron Smith about his career, almost leaving Melbourne, ‘influencing’ refs, the salary cap drama and plenty more.

But they were a different team back then to what they are now, with the razzle dazzle of old now taking on a far more composed and clinical style of play, although they still have strike weapons all over the field.

“What has galvanised this group is handling all those tough periods over the last two years,” Stuart said.

“I have said it before, all those close losses and the criticism we got over the last two years would have broke a lot of people and a lot teams. But that is what has galvanised us.”

HODGO’S CELEBRATION

The influence Hodgson has on this team is up in the Cameron Smith category.

Last night Hodgson probed and pushed through the middle from the opening whistle and when he got the Warriors on the back foot he had teammates lining up to celebrate.

The little Englishman turns 30 later this year and he is showing no signs of slowing up.

“It was the most effective (performance) I have seen from him,” Buderus said on Fox Sports.

Canberra have won seven of their last eight. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

Stuart added: “He has a wonderful amount of respect around the club and he has earnt that. The boys love him.”

Aside from Hodgson, Josh Papalii, Joe Tapine and veteran Sia Soliola were tremendous, while halves Aidan Sezer and Jack Wighton deserve special mention for the composure they are playing with.

WARRIORS WOEFUL

Stephen Kearney had every right to be filthy at the refs after last round’s loss to Parramatta.

But the Warriors coach was fuming as he walked out of his coaching box before halftime and he was going off his rocker in the dressing sheds.

“Let me put it this way. I can’t remember the last time I was that angry,” Kearney said.

The Raiders were in total control. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

“I thought the first half we got bullied off the park. They are a really, really good footy team. But I didn’t think we put up much of a fight for them.”

Last night’s crushing loss pretty much put to bed any chance of the Warriors playing finals football this year.

Stuck on 17 competition points, the Warriors would have to win their remaining five games to finish on 27 points but they have a tough run home that includes the Sea Eagles, Roosters, Sharks, Rabbitohs and Raiders again in the final round.

CANBERRA 46 (B Simonsson 2 J Hodgson M Oldfield J Papalii I Soliola J Tapine J Wighton tries J Croker 6 I Soliola goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 12 (C Harris-Tavita 2 tries C Harris-Tavita 2 goals) at Mt Smart Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Matt Cecchin

Originally published as A Josh Hodgson masterclass has led Canberra to a 46-12 smashing of the Warriors