New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders Prediction: 23/10 for Raiders to edge high-scoring clash

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New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders Odds

There’s little to separate this pair looking at the bookies’ odds, with Betfred slating the Warriors as 10/11 favourites. That implies a 52.4% probability.

The Raiders are 1/1, with a repeat of Canberra’s golden-point drama of last week being 16/1.

Indeed, the Raiders are offered just a half-point start on the handicap, with their price narrowed to 5/6 in that case. The Warriors, naturally, remain 10/11.

Team News

Andrew Webster isn’t fixing what isn’t broken, with last week’s 42-18 victory over the Roosters leading him to pick the same 19.

Alofiana Khan-Pereira is one of the reserve options after getting the all-clear following concussion protocols, while Marata Niukore is also on standby having overcome a calf strain.

Rugby League Odds

Raiders boss Ricky Stuart has to make one enforced change, with Josh Papali’i ruled out due to concussion.

Former Wigan Warriors lock Morgan Smithies is picked in the front row in Papali’i’s place having come on from the bench at Brookvale last Saturday.

Joe Roddy and Matt Timoko are promoted to the initial 19, with the latter having played in the NSW Cup last week as part of his recovery from a foot problem. Jed Stuart drops down to the reserve list.

Raiders by 1-12 @ 23/10

As someone who normally backs the Warriors pretty much to the hilt and Mount Smart, this is far from a safe option for me.

But the Raiders showed last week in overturning a 14-0 deficit to lead 28-14, and then bouncing back from a nightmare last seven minutes to win in golden point, that they aren’t going to lie down after their difficult Finals series of 2025.

The Minor Premiers lost back-to-back home games last September to miss out on a last-four spot, and many wondered whether they’d have the mental capacity to go again in 2026.

But they have the quality, the durability and the smarts to be right up there in the pecking order once more, and that was all on show at Brookie.

So I can well see them riding out the inevitable waves for Warriors attacks in this one and then making the most of opportunities when they present themselves.

Ethan Strange and Sanders look to be building a decent combination in the halves, while Xavier Strange exhibited his finishing prowess at Manly.

I’m happy to go against tradition and back the Green Machine to just about do enough across the Tasman Sea, and the 23/10 odds offer fantastic value.