Raiders v NZ Warriors tips & odds – NRL Round 3, 2021

The New Zealand Warriors are shaping as an interesting dark-horse bet against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium in NRL action on Saturday, but they will have to overcome a bitter blow.

Warriors halfback Chanel Harris-Tevita has been ruled out for 12 weeks with a foot injury, which should concern punters, with likely replacement Sean O’Sullivan having very limited first-grade experience. Not only does the injury hurt the Warriors’ attack, their defence will lose some starch, as Harris-Tevita has gained a reputation as a hard hitter on the edge.

The $4 head-to-head price feels a little long, but the +11.5 line most Australian bookmakers are giving them should be taken. The Raiders showed last start they can still switch off and let teams back in, and the Warriors have shown they want to get into an arm wrestle.

Key match-up: Tohu Harris vs Canberra Raiders

Tohu Harris is already a pillar of strength for the Warriors, but he is about to take on an even greater role. He has played in the halves for New Zealand in the past and his ball-playing is going to feature even more prominently as they come to grips with playing a second-string halfback. He regularly tops the tackle count and is a key yardage man, so how do they get him playing on the edges when the Raiders’ middle contains the likes of Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine, Dunamis Lui and Ryan James? Canberra will put huge pressure on the middle third if Harris is floating around the field more.

Canberra Raiders betting

The Raiders are very short at $1.25 when you consider their second-half performance against the Sharks. The have hardly set the world on fire in their two wins so far, which might not be a bad thing for their title aspirations, but in the short term for punters it makes them tricky to get a read on. We still think the Warriors will make a game of it, so the Canberra 1-12 margin at $3.10 with NRL betting sites is the right choice to make. The right edge of the Warriors had trouble containing Newcastle in their last game, so look to Jarrod Croker as he plays his first game for 2021. Jack Wighton and Elliott Whitehead should also be included in any multis.

Canberra Raiders

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Jarrod Croker
4. Curtis Scott
5. Jordan Rapana
6. Jack Wighton
7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii
9. Josh Hodgson
10. Dunamis Lui
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Joseph Tapine
14. Siliva Havili
15. Ryan Sutton
16. Iosia Soliola
17. Ryan James

New Zealand Warriors betting

We have already alluded to the long start the bookies are giving the NZ Warriors, and we think everyone should be on them at the +11.5 line at $1.90. While struggling to offer much in attack, they look comfortable getting into an arm wrestle, and the Raiders’ depth in the middle forwards will mean they are battling for 80 minutes. The Canberra defence has been solid in their opening two games, but we feel it is the week for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to get on the tryscoring train.

New Zealand Warriors

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. David Fusitu’a
3. Adam Pompey
4. Peta Hiku
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Bunty Afoa
11. Eliesa Katoa
12. Bayley Sironen
13. Tohu Harris
14. Jazz Tevaga
15. Ben Murdoch-Masila
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Jack Murchie

Raiders vs Warriors betting prediction

The Raiders will win the game, but they will do it by fewer than 10. Either go the Warriors at the +11.5 line for a price of $1.90, or look for even better value with the 1-12 margin for Canberra at $3.10.

Raiders vs Warriors same game multi

If you take the Raiders at the small margin and fold it into Jack Wighton, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Ken Mamaulo to score a try at any stage in the game, Sportsbet will give you a very handy return of $22.50 on the dollar.