NRL 2021: Canberra Raiders defeat Parramatta Eels, Jordan Rapana’s try-saving bump on Maika Sivo

The brave and brutal Raiders prevailed in the most ferocious and physical game of football seen in the NRL this year to upset the Eels 12-10 and fire-up their finals chances.

The match finished with a try-saving tackle in the final second by Jordan Rapana and Harley Smith-Shields on Maika Sivo. It was a fitting end to a fabulous match with Rapana’s hip bump bundling Sivo into touch right in the corner.

The Raiders, now in the top eight, defended like they had 17 Ruben Wikis on the field and each Eel embraced the spirit of Mr Perpetual Motion himself.

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This was a 1980s style smash-up without the coathangers and send-offs. The only other thing missing was a cattledog.

The scoreless first half was the first since the opening round of 2019 when Newcastle and Cronulla did not trouble the scorers.

Ryan Sutton (sternum) and Marata Niukore (knee) were both first half casualties. The collisions kept coming. Josh Papalii’i pummelled Oregon Kaufusi in the ribs and all but knocked himself out in the process before leaving the field with an HIA, which he later failed.

The final play of the half finished with Joe Tapine snapping Jakob Arthur in half. No quarter was asked and none was given.

Josh Hodgson sat Sivo on his backside with a front-on wallop to continue the trend in the second stanza.

Hudson Young came up with a sensational play when he put the ball on the foot after a misdirected pass from Hodgson near the tryline.

After securing a repeat set on fire Corey Harawira-Naera hit a hole off a Sam Williams pass and the first try was on the board in the 45th minute.

Rapana took the Raiders to 12-0 before a reborn Blake Ferguson, who played the second half with a rib injury, set up Dylan Brown with a stunning kick. Sivo scored late but the Raiders hung on like champions.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said he was “very proud” of his men.

“If any young kid is looking to be a Raider, and forever that I have known since I was a young boy supporting the Canberra Raiders … that has always been in the jumper,” Stuart said. “That type of grit and that type of will to win.

“This time of year we need to up the intensity to be in the playoffs. We believe we are good enough to be in the playoffs and we want to be the team that is here the longest in regards to this hub.”

Eels coach Brad Arthur said the confrontational clash was “a bashup”.

“I think they beat us in the physical contest in the end. We had plenty of ball and opportunity but we didn’t win any of the collisions,” Arthur said.

RAMPAGING RAPANA

This was the 10th different spine combination the Raiders had fielded this year and with rookie sensation Xavier Savage out for the season veteran Rapana stood up at fullback and had a blinder. He scored a try and was in everything.

His final matchwinning play will live forever in the memory. He had plenty of mates with Joe Tapine and Hodgson superb in as good a team performance as you will ever see.

“I didn’t want to single anyone out, but I did singles Rapa out in the change rooms,” Stuart said. “He is loved by all the boys and that is why.”

RAIDERS TIGHTROPE

The gritty Raiders have surged into the top eight on 18 points and now have finals football in their sights. Their next two games against fellow finals hopefuls Newcastle and St George/Illawarra will go a long way to deciding whether they reach the playoffs.

In added hope for Raiders fans the expected imminent return of Corey Horsburgh (wrist), Elliott Whitehead (shoulder), Jack Wighton (ribs) and Dunamis Lui (calf) looms as a huge boost.

NRL: Parramatta Eels winger Blake Ferguson has returned from reserve grade to spark a try of the year contender against the Canberra Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium.

FERGO FIRES

After almost two months cooling his heels out of the top side, the colourful Blake Ferguson returned with a bang against his old club.

Coach Brad Arthur had told Ferguson to go way and work on improving how he fitted in with the Eels defensive systems. After recovering from a calf injury and a stint in the NSW Cup the 31-year-old delivered with a cruncher on Jarrod Croker that saved a certain try.

In attack he put his hand up to do the tough carries and set up a cracking try for Brown with a barging run and inch perfect kick for the Eels five-eighth to score. The off-contract veteran is without a home for next year but this display showed he still has plenty to offer.

“He done well. He was a little bit gassed but broke the game open for us with good attitude to the collision on his carry, and that is what we needed more of,” Arthur said.

“He does [have a lot to offer]. He just has to worry about playing well and we will see what happens from there.”

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