Canberra Raiders News

Wed, 29th July, 2026, 12:40 AEST
NRL Late Mail Round 22: Why coach Ivan Cleary dumped Blaize Talagi, John Bateman out
The Panthers dropped Blaize Talagi due to defensive struggles, opting for Jack Cogger to improve their left edge performance.
The Australian
The Panthers have made the extraordinary call to dump five-eighth Blaize Talagi with just six games remaining in the regular season - and here's why.
Penrith's left edge has become a huge target for opposition teams, with Parramatta going after Talagi and centre Casey McLean last week with great success.
Talagi missed seven tackles last week and has paid the price with coach Ivan Cleary dropping him to NSW Cup, with Jack Cogger to start alongside Nathan Cleary against the Raiders this weekend.
"That'd be fair," Ivan replied when asked if the left edge's defence had been an ongoing issue after the Eels game.
"If they've been targeted for two years, we still remain the best defensive team.
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Wed, 29th July, 2026, 12:26 AEST
Canberra Raiders to lock up key forward, activate option on back
The Raiders are extending Ata Mariota's contract and retaining Chevy Stewart, while Morgan Smithies will likely depart for the Perth Bears.
Zero Tackle
The Canberra Raiders are set to lock prop Ata Mariota into a contract extension and activate an option for back Chevy Stewart to remain at the club.
As it stands, the Raiders have been one of the quietest clubs on the transfer market for 2027, with nine spots available, but no confirmed signings or departures.
It's believed forward Morgan Smithies will become the first confirmed departure to the Perth Bears, while Josh Papalii is also set to leave to either retirement or the English Super League, but to balance out the departures in the middle third, The Canberra Times have revealed Ata Mariota has re-signed through to the end of 2028.
Mariota has been one of the rising stars of the Canberra forward pack, and could go to another level next year with more responsibility.
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Wed, 29th July, 2026, 11:34 AEST
'Stubborn' Doueihi insists he is committed to Tigers
Adam Doueihi, despite recent tensions with coach Benji Marshall, expresses commitment to Wests Tigers, acknowledging miscommunication and admitting he should have played against Canberra.
The Canberra Times
A remorseful Adam Doueihi admits he can be "stubborn" and "a hard player to deal with", but insists he is committed to Wests Tigers following his highly-publicised dummy spit.
Doueihi conceded he should "definitely" have played the Tigers' must-win game against Canberra last Saturday, rather than walk out following Benji Marshall's decision to move him from halfback.
The 27-year-old said "miscommunication" had led to friction between he and Marshall, who had hoped to play him at lock against the Raiders.
"Benj knows I'd play front row for him. I never put myself above the team," he said.
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