NRL Round 7 Preview and Prediction - Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors @ GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors @ GIO Stadium
 
Preview - Both the Raiders and the Warriors go in search of a third straight victory when they lock horns at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday night. The Raiders have found their attacking mojo in the last two weeks, racking up 78 points combined in their dominant victories over Parramatta and the Titans. After a slow start to the season, the Raiders have now won 3 of their past 4 games and are looking ominous. The Warriors are also on a mini-roll themselves, having beaten both the Titans and Eels at home over the past couple of rounds, after winning just 1 from their opening 4 games. What would have pleased Steven Kearney most last week was the Warriors’ attitude in defence, conceding just 12 points and repelling several goal line raids from the Eels. 
 
History - The Raiders have an outstanding record against the Warriors having won 11 of their past 14 clashes against them in Canberra. Whilst the Raiders have won the past two clashes between the pair, beating the Warriors last season 38-12 in New Zealand and 26-22 in Canberra. Before that, the Warriors enjoyed a 5-match winning streak against the Raiders. Overall, the rivalry is tight, with the Warriors winning 17 and the Raiders 19. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - The Raiders are unchanged from the side that demolished the Titans last week. That lethal right side combination of Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana have been back to their dynamic best in the past couple of games, with Leilua having his best game of the season .
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - The Warriors are also unchanged from the side that defeated the Eels at home last week. Kieran Foran has been outstanding in his first two games, producing a Man of the Match performance last week against his old side in the Eels. Foran has straightened the Warriors attack up straight away, and made a huge difference with their organisation and general toughness throughout the 80 minutes. It has also been good to see Isaac Luke rediscover a bit of his running game of late, as he has not performed at the high level he did at South Sydney to date in Warriors’ colours. 
 
Verdict - Raiders by 13 + in a high scoring game

I am expecting this game to be a real track meet, with plenty of points scored and plenty of fast ball movement. Both these sides like to play an up-tempo style of game and are more known for their prolific attack and strike weapons rather than their stinging defence and ability to withstand pressure.  I know the Warriors have improved plenty with Kieran Foran in the team the past two weeks, however they have only played one away game this year and I see them definitely being heavily tested against this Raiders’ attack. The Raiders are a very hard side to beat at home, and I think they can rack up another big score here with all their troops back on deck and their attack starting to come together. The Warriors rarely win in Canberra and I think the Raiders can win this game by 13+ in a high scoring contest.