NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Raiders eye first minor premiership since 1990

3 weeks ago 9

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Have your say: who will win today?

2.51pm

The NRL buy of the year has only played five games

One reason Benji Marshall wants the season to keep going for the Wests Tigers is so he can see the meteoric rise of Taylan May.

After just five NRL games, May deserves to be in the conversation about the NRL’s best “buy of the year”.

Has Wests Tigers’ centre Taylan May been the NRL ‘buy of the year’? What about (from left) Blaize Talagi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Terrell May, or Isaiah Iongi?

Before being thrown a lifeline by the Tigers on a $1200 train-and-trial deal, May’s older brother, Terrell, was certainly a contender for being one of the season’s best purchases.

The same could be said for Penrith pair Blaize Talagi and Isaiah Papali’i, Parramatta’s Isaiah Iongi and Dylan Walker, Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu, especially the back half of the season, and even New Zealand Warriors forward Erin Clark.

But Taylan, 24, has probably surprised himself with how quickly he has settled back into the game after being sidelined by the NRL under its no-fault stand-down policy following allegations of domestic violence. The premiers sacked him midway through last year before May had police charges withdrawn at the start of this year.

Read the full story here.

2.45pm

Raiders eye first minor premiership since 1990

The “full house” sign is up, the JJ Giltinan Shield has made its way up the Hume Highway and their NRLW side just pulled off a golden point win.

Now it’s time for Canberra to get it done.

A win against the Tigers will hand the Raiders their first minor premiership since 1990, the one and only time the club has achieved the feat. The key for the Green Machine is to focus on the now, rather than basking in the glow of the “Miracle in Mudgee” or the big games to come.

You could argue that this match is contested between the two most improved teams in the comp. This is also a chance for the Tigers to jag a big scalp and build momentum into next year.

2.40pm

Tigers team list: no changes for Marshall’s team

Tigers coach Benji Marshall has stuck with the same 17 he named on Tuesday. Here’s what the team looks like this afternoon.

1. Jahream Bula, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Taylan May, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Latu Fainu, 8. Terrell May, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Sione Finau, 13. Alex Twal

Interchange: 14. Heath Mason, 15. Royce Hunt, 16. Charlie Murray, 17. Tony Sukkar

2.35pm

Raiders team list: Kris out

Simi Sasagi has been shifted to the centres with Seb Kris out of the 17. Here’s how they line up today.

1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Matt Timoko, 15. Simi Sasagi, 5. Jed Stuart, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine (c), 11. Hudson Young, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange: 14. Owen Pattie, 16. Morgan Smithies, 17. Ata Moriota, 18. Noah Martin

2.25pm

Storm’s shock loss leaves NRL scrambling to get prestigious trophy to Canberra

By Christian Nicolussi

Some pre-match breaking news for you...

An NRL staffer is currently driving the prestigious JJ Giltinan Shield to Canberra where it will be presented to the Raiders after full-time if they defeat Wests Tigers today.

Melbourne’s shock loss to the Roosters last night means the Raiders can move four points clear on top of the ladder with one round remaining if they beat the Tigers this afternoon.

That left the NRL scrambling on Saturday morning to get the minor premiership trophy to Canberra in time.

Read the full story here.

2.19pm

Have your say: who will win today?

2.10pm

Welcome

Good afternoon footy fans.

A couple of interesting matches we have today, as the Raiders look to claim the minor premiership when they host the Tigers, before Manly hunt a massive win against the Dragons to keep their finals hopes alive.

Billie Eder here to take you through the action of those two matches, with Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko dropping in to provide updates from the ground.

Kick-off for our first match in Canberra is 3pm – I’ll bring you teams lists and news until then.