Jed Stuart scores on debut as the Raiders overcome plucky Wests Tigers

Ricky Stuart’s son Jed scored in his NRL debut as the Wests Tigers pushed the Raiders to their limit in the second half. See the full NRL SuperCoach analysis of the game inside.

Joey Tapine reasserted his status as one of the NRL’s best front rowers with a superb performance as the Canberra Raiders defeated a fast-finishing Wests Tigers 16-12 at Campbelltown Stadium.

The Canberra skipper was a colossus on Friday night, scoring one try, saving another, while also churning through 117 metres and 36 tackles as Ricky Stuart’s men entrenched themselves in the top two.

That said, it was no walk in the park for the Green Machine, who almost saw a 16-0 halftime lead evaporate before their eyes as the Tigers outscored them 12-0 in the second half.

Joe Tapine had a stellar game. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Despite being peppered by the Tigers during the opening exchanges, the Raiders struck first in the 13th minute when a contentious captain’s challenge gave them back-to-back sets deep in enemy territory and allowed Josh Papalii to put Tapine over. It was a just reward for the Kiwi international, who less than two minutes earlier saved a certain try when he forced the ball free from Tigers halfback Jarome Luai as he attempted to ground the ball over the Raiders’ line.

Debutant winger Jed Stuart’s extended the visitors’ lead in the 17th minute when he capitalised on a Kaeo Weekes break to score, and the procession continued in the 23rd minute when Jahream Bula’s inability to clean up a Tom Starling grubber gifted the little hooker the Raiders’ third consecutive try.

Battling to avoid their fifth-straight loss, the Tigers stepped up a gear in the second term and got within four points after scoring two tries in five minutes. Alex Seyfarth got the home side on the board nine minutes into the second stanza when he chased down a Luai grubber. At the same time, Starford To’a put the Raiders on notice in the 54th minute by taking advantage of an Adam Doueihi break to grab his ninth try of the season.

Jarome Luai was instrumental for the Tigers in the second half. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Wests would have all the running in the closing 20 minutes, but somehow the Raiders managed to hold on. Once again, Tapine would prove pivotal – pulling off a one-on-one steal on Seyfarth with eight minutes remaining as the Tigers pushed for an equaliser.

BULA’S BIZZARE PLAY

Bula brought back memories of Paul Carige’s infamous performance for Parramatta in the 1998 Preliminary Final when he attempted two foolhardy plays in the closing seconds of the first half. With 22 seconds left until the break, Bulla grubbered for himself 10 metres out from his line. The Raiders regained the kick on the Tigers’ 30 before Xavier Savage attempted another grubber himself, which went straight to Bula. However, once again, rather than taking the tackle, Bula grubbed in his half again but was able to tackle the Raiders’ recipient as the halftime siren sounded.

Originally published as Jed Stuart scores on debut as the Raiders overcome plucky Wests Tigers