We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
The Queanbeyan Blues are fighting to secure their future in the Canberra Raiders Cup after the competition powerhouse needed an exemption to field a first grade side this season.
Simon Woolford's Blues will open their season against the Tuggeranong Bushrangers at Greenway Oval on Saturday - but they won't have a reserve grade team suiting up before them following a mass exodus in the playing ranks.
Canberra Raiders young gun Xavier Savage will share the NSW Cup fullback duties as coach Ricky Stuart eases him back from a serious injury.
Savage will play his first game of the season in the reserves against St George Illawarra at Canberra Stadium on Sunday after breaking his jaw during the pre-season trials.
The 20-year-old was set to assume the mantle this year as the Raiders' first choice No.1 following the return of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to the New Zealand Warriors in the off-season in order to be closer to his young family.
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has fired a warning shot for his players, challenging them to take their game to another level without relying on their returning star trio.
He said it was up to everyone to build on their performance against the Brisbane Broncos and not lean on Jack Wighton (suspension), Joe Tapine and Nick Cotric (hamstring).
The Raiders almost bullied the Broncos with their physicality, with that effort now becoming their baseline.