The NRL season is heating up in 2017 with just three games separating second and eighth on the table.
The big games continue this weekend with 1 v 2 and 3 v 4 along with 6 v 8 in a blockbuster round of rugby league.
New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders
Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday Afternoon
Their finals hopes hung by a thread last week, so they emphatically beat the reigning premiers on their own turf. This week, the Raiders head across the ditch in a similar position, with nothing but the two competition points enough to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Warriors are reeling after a loss to the Knights last week and while the inclusion of Ryan Hoffman will give them some more stability across the park, an unchanged Raiders side beaming with confidence will be tough to stop.
Jordan Rapana's try tally keeps on going as he and Joseph Leilua continue to prove that they're arguably one of the league's best outside combinations. Clay Priest continues to provide adequate back up off the bench proving they're a well-rounded side that can do some damage when firing on all cylinders.
As for the Warriors, if you take Shaun Johnson out of any side, you'll definitely feel the pinch however after five straight losses, the end of the 2017 season can't come soon enough.
Typically, they're a far better side at home than on the road (6-4 at home, 1-9 on road) which could provide a few problems for the Raiders this Sunday however if Ricky Stuart's men are as ruthless as they were last week, they could give their points differential a bit of a boost.
Raiders by 12.
