NRL 2024 Pre-season Challenge: Rookie prodigies clash in the Raiders’ trial win over the Eels

It was the battle of the rookies when the Raiders and Eels clashed at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. MICHAEL CARAYANNIS breaks down the rookies, recruits and budding combinations from the game.

Eels coach Brad Arthur was a picture of concern in the coaches box. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

It was a mixed night for respective coaches Brad Arthur and Ricky Stuart for differing reasons. While the Raiders eventually finished 38-16 winners it was a wave of emotions for Arthur and Stuart.

Arthur’s son Matthew suffered a sickening head knock in his first involvement in the game. Started off the bench in his first NRL trial, Matthew attempted to make a tackle on Canberra’s Peter Taateo. The dummy half put his head in an awkward spot and stayed down for several minutes with his dad looking on. He came from the field and was cleared of any serious injury.

For Stuart, it was son Jed – who has been playing NSW Cup for the Raiders in recent seasons – who scored a crucial try. Coming off the bench, Jed crossed on the wing after James Schiller retrieved a cross field kick before giving Jed an easy passage to the try line in the 52nd minute to draw the scores level.

The Eels led 6-10 after 45 minutes but as they rotated some of their high profile players the match quickly got away from them. The Raiders scored four tries in 16 minutes to run away with the game.

Raiders hooker Zac Woolford failed to finish the game because of a concussion.

Matthew Arthur is assisted by trainers and doctors after a sickening collision. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Terrible to see Matthew Arthur go down like this. Very glad to see that it looks like the medical staff are taking all necessary precautions and he’s sitting up now. Hope Brad takes a moment and heads down to the sheds early before half time. He’s a father first and foremost.

— V (@TicsVitsJacThic) February 17, 2024

COMBINATIONS

It was not so much his work with his outside men but Brandan Hands gave his side plenty to think about. Hands is locked in a battle with Joey Lussick for the starting hooker spot. While Lussick didn’t play it was left to Hands to play big minutes and have an impact. He set up a try for big man Ofahiki Ogden while having a strong performance throughout. Neither halves combination challenged the defensive line too much.

RECRUIT WATCH

The Eels duo of Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi impressed for the Eels in their first hit out since switching from Manly. Harper set up a nice try for his winger Sean Russell with some footwork to get on the outside of opposite Albert Hopoate before throwing Russell a flick pass. Tuilagi was damaging on an edge. Raiders big man Peter Taateo scored a try after arriving from Penrith. Five-eighth Kaeo Weekes scored a try.

ROOKIE WATCH

It was a mixed bag for several hot prosects. Respective fullbacks Blaize Talagi and Chevy Stewart had little impact on the game with Talagi spilling a bomb which led to a Canberra try. Canberra forward Noah Martin came onto the second half and rocked a few Eels players with some heavy hits but was sin-binned for his work while Ethan Sanders – who has been linked with a move to the Raiders next season – failed to find touch from a penalty kick.

HOT TAKE

Brad Arthur has a growing reputation for developing fringe first-graders into regular NRL players. The next on that list could be Tuilagi. While the Eels have a star-studded forward pack, Tuilagi – who played on the left and right edge – showed he will be a handy pick up and could push for a starting round one spot.

FINAL SAY

The Eels looked the better of the two sides in the opening exchanges led by some of their forwards. The Raiders started slower but showed some genuine speed in their outside backs. With neither team near full-strength there was little to be too excited or too despondent about.

Originally published as NRL 2024 Pre-season Challenge: Rookie prodigies clash in the Raiders’ trial win over the Eels