Canberra Raiders NRL News

Albert Hopoate avoids skin grafts from arm burns, returns to Raiders for crucial NRL match.

The Canberra Times

If the burns to Albert Hopoate's arm were any worse then the Canberra Raiders centre would've needed skin grafts.

But Hopoate only missed three weeks and he's now worked his back into the Raiders' NRL side as they face a must-win clash against Newcastle at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

The Green Machine need to end a three-game losing streak to remain in touch with the NRL top eight, with the Knights in a similar position on the ladder.

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NRL player Albert Hopoate recovers from kitchen burn to focus on returning to Raiders first-grade team.

Canberra Weekly

The kitchen may be too hot for burns victim Albert Hopoate to handle, but the young NRL star feels much more at home on the field.

The 23-year-old Canberra player spoke on Wednesday about the grade-two burn he suffered after a bottle of olive oil spray left in an oil trap caught fire and exploded on his arm.

"There wasn't anything I could do besides just letting it heal," he said.

"The main thing was to make sure it wasn't gonna get infected."

The centre credits his wife for his resurgence into the Raiders first-grade side after returning to the squad in round...

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Raiders struggle with losses, Knights victorious. Major changes made to Raiders lineup for improvement.

League Unlimited

The Raiders are coming off a 16-6 loss to the Knights, their 4th loss in 5 matches. Tom Starling was a wall in defence with 52 tackles, while Kaeo Weekes had a mixed bag - scoring a try but also making three errors. Adam Cook was strong as well, but the team lacked performances from stars Xavier Savage, Jordan Rapana and Matthew Timoko.

By contrast the Knights took a much needed  34-26 win against the Eels, snapping a three game losing streak between their first two byes. Bradman Best was at his dominant… best… with two tries, two try assists, 8 tackle breaks and an absurd 357 running metres. Greg Marzhew recorded a double, Jackson Hastings picked up two line break assists and Dane Gagai staked his claim for a Maroons recall with 8 tackle breaks of his own.

Ricky Stuart has opted for major changes to the Raiders side in a bid to revive their season, notably Kaeo Weekes making his move to fullback permanent with Jordan Rapana sliding back to the wing and Adam Cook replacing him at halfback. Simi Sasagi joins the interchange in place of Jordan Martin, who has entered concussion protocols after failing a HIA on debut.

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