Canberra Raiders NRL News

Canberra Raiders top NRL ladder after defeating Newcastle 22-18; Kalyn Ponga injured during the match.

Wide World of Sports

The Canberra Raiders have soared to the top of the NRL ladder after defeating the Newcastle Knights 22-18 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

This marks the first time Canberra has topped the league at this point in the season in 22 years, and it comes after six straight wins and 11 victories from their last 12 games.

To make matters worse for Newcastle and cause concern for Queensland, Kalyn Ponga came from the field with a foot injury and did not return.

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Canberra dominated with powerful offloads, leading Newcastle to a scoreless first half, 16-0.

League Unlimited

It was a tense opening and it was an easy end-to-end struggle until a Simi Sasagi break turned momentum before Matt Timoko busted 50 metres to give Canberra much needed field position. After 16 minutes, an Ethan Strange bomb was well taken by Sasagi to get first points.

Eight minutes later, a Jamal Fogarty 40/20 was rewarded when offloads continued to push the Knights away. A great offload saw Kaeo Weekes crash over next to the posts. The Raiders had nine offloads in the first half and it was another one that put Strange over for a 16-0 lead. Newcastle's first half attacking woes this season continued with the side booed off McDonald Jones Stadium for the second home game in three as they were held to nil for the ninth time this season at half-time.

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Josh Papalii may sign with a UK Super League team, avoiding playing against Canberra.

Fox League

Raiders legend Josh Papalii is closing in on a deal to continue his career in England rather than play against his beloved Canberra Raiders in the NRL.

Papali'i is in negotiations with St Helens to sign a two-year deal from 2026.

The Daily Telegraph
reported Papalii is close to inking a deal with a UK Super League side after the Raiders were unable to offer him a contract extension beyond 2025.

The Raiders will be aiming to send the club legend out with a premiership as Papali'i plays his final games in Green, despite interest from rival NRL clubs for 2026.

The decision to pursue a contract in England is based on Papalii being unwilling to remain in the NRL and be made to play against his beloved Raiders.

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