NRL Round 25 Preview - Warriors v Raiders @ Mount Smart Stadium

New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders @ Mount Smart Stadium
 
Preview - The Warriors will be looking to surge into the playoffs with momentum as they take on the Raiders at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday night. The Warriors showed last week that, at their best, they are a team that can do some damage in the finals, as they belted the Panthers 36-16 to secure a 14th win this season and the chance to host a finals’ game in Week 1 of the finals if results fall their way. The Raiders are showing what a frustrating side they can be to follow by knocking off Premiership favourites, the Roosters and Rabbitohs, in consecutive weeks despite being out of contention. The Raiders will finish 10th for a second year running. 
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - The Warriors have made just the one change to the side that swept aside Penrith, with Gerard Beale replacing Leivaha Pulu on the bench. Blake Green is expected to return for their Week 1 finals’ clash. 
 
Canberra Raiders’ Scouting Report - Ricky Stuart has named an unchanged line-up to the side that has managed impressive victories over the Rooster and Rabbitohs. Aidan Sezer has once again been named on the extended bench. 
 
Verdict - Warriors by 1-12 in a high scoring game

Canberra will want to sign off with another big scalp so expecting a cracker of a game here. The Raiders are one of the form teams in the competition, but I couldn't tip against the Warriors given they were so good in the same time slot at home last week against the Panthers. Expecting a really physical game with plenty of points being scored, but the Warriors to get the win and be hard to beat in Week 1 of the finals.