Canberra Raiders News

Ricky Stuart plans to rest players against the Dolphins, affecting the playoff picture.

LeagueNews.co

Canberra Raiders head coach Ricky Stuart has announced his plan to rest several players for the upcoming clash against the Dolphins next weekend.

This decision could significantly impact the playoff picture for those sitting at the bottom of the top eight, as the minor premiers opt to give some players a necessary week off.

While Stuart did not specify which players would be rested, he acknowledged on Triple M Radio following the team's victory against the Wests Tigers that a full-strength squad would not be fielded in Queensland next week.

See more...

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will rest players for next week's match against the Dolphins.

Zero Tackle

Canberra Raiders head coach Ricky Stuart has revealed he will rest players for next weekend's clash with the Dolphins.

In a move that could have finals ramifications for the bottom of the top eight, the minor premiers will give the players that need it a week off.

Instead, a number of players who are, in his words "banged up and need a rest" will have a breather before preparing for their opening week qualifying final, to be held at GIO Stadium in Canberra against a yet to be confirmed opponent.

News Corp are reporting the Raiders will hand at least six players a rest including Kaeo Weekes.

See more...

Canberra's Ricky Stuart plans to rest players against Dolphins for finals preparation after minor premiership.

LeagueNews.co

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has decided to rest several players in the upcoming match against the Dolphins, following the example set by Penrith. This decision comes after the Raiders clinched their first minor premiership since 1990 with a 24-10 victory against the Wests Tigers on Saturday, allowing Stuart the flexibility to rotate his starters in preparation for the finals.

In an interview with Triple M on Sunday, Stuart stated: "I will be (resting players). We've got some banged up players and I spoke to (NRL CEO) Andrew Abdo yesterday before the (minor premiership) presentation and said I will be resting some players that need it."

He continued, "There's some players that are banged up. It's such a long season. I'll just rest the players that I feel as though absolutely need it because they're banged up, and there's a few positional players there that I believe that I need fresh and healthy for semi-final one. I will make that position as we go but I haven't got a number (of how many players will be rested)."

See more...