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Ricky Stuart criticizes poor Raiders players but keeps faith for Eels match on Sunday.
Ricky Stuart was right - the Canberra Raiders players were poor.
But they've vowed to repay the faith shown by their coach against the Parramatta Eels at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
Stuart named a largely unchanged side to face the Eels, giving them the chance to atone for their poor performance against Cronulla last weekend.
Canberra Raiders prepared to bounce back after disappointing loss, aim to beat Parramatta Eels.
Canberra are ready to ride the bumps of an NRL season and get back to winning ways against Parramatta on Sunday, veteran enforcer Josh Papali'i says.
After a calamitous loss to Cronulla last time out where the Raiders threw away an 18-0 lead to lose 36-22 against a side missing a stack of forwards, a promising 2-0 start has been replaced with a more mediocre 2-2 season record.
It's nothing 286-gamer Papali'i hasn't seen before, with his Raiders keen to avoid slumping further when they host the Eels.
But while his confidence remains intact, Papali'i said ensuring the side's younger brigade don't drop their heads...
NRL appoints officials for Round 5 matches, including top games with Ashley Klein and Gerard Sutton.
The NRL have confirmed their match official appointments for Round 5, with Ashley Klein appointed to the likely game of the week between the Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos.
Cameron Munster's likely return match and a clash of last year's qualifying finalists will also see Gerard Sutton in the bunker.
Meanwhile, Belinda Sharpe has been retained as part of the group of eight referees, appointed to officiate the Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons, while Todd Smith will handle defending premiers the Penrith Panthers on their trip east to play the Manly Sea Eagles in another important clash this weekend.