Makeshift centre Marata Niukore is expecting one of the NRL s best edges to send a mountain of traffic at him on Saturday night in Canberra.
The versatile second-rower slotted in well at centre when Waqa Blake tore his calf in round two but was not expecting to still be running wide a month later. I probably thought my time was done there after maybe the Tigers game but obviously not, Niukore said. I think my first game I learned a lot and I ve had a lot more time to practice out in the centres. I m enjoying myself being out there and having Fergo (Blake Ferguson) outside me just giving me positive talks, I m enjoying it.
Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson is set for scans on a hip injury after leaving the field during the second half in Friday night s loss to the Panthers.
While Hodgson hobbled from the field and later on to the team bus with the same discomfort, co-captain Jarrod Croker lamented not capitalising on a try-scoring opportunity that led to a momentum swing in the first half.
Croker was confident he crossed for a try in the 19th minute until replays showed he failed to land on a Jack Wighton kick in-goal that would ve put the visitors 10 points ahead to start the game.
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