Raidercast Recap

Tupou Francis, a 17-year-old lock, aims to keep Broncos competitive post-Haas, attracting interest from multiple NRL teams.

The Australian

Meet Tupou Francis, the teenage sensation who has vowed to help maintain the Broncos as a premiership force in the post-Payne Haas era.

Haas may be joining South Sydney next season on a three-year deal, but Brisbane's future is in safe hands with a Broncos Academy ace in Francis, who managed to do what the superstar prop couldn't - say no to Wayne Bennett.

Francis is regarded among the NRL's next wave of forward superstars.

Such is his talent, the 17-year-old lock prodigy fielded interest from four NRL rivals in the pre-season, including Bennett's Rabbitohs.

It is a measure of Francis' ability that the Broncos slapped a massive $250,000 transfer fee on the tackle-busting teenager in a desperate bid to ward off poaching raids from Bennett and three other clubs including the Raiders.

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Ricky Stuart remains calm despite the Raiders' 1-3 start to the NRL season.

ABC Sport

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart insists the Raiders are not panicking after making a poor start to the NRL season.

The Raiders, who won the minor premiership last year, are 1-3 (win-loss) through the opening four rounds.

Their attack has struggled to fire in 2026, with the Raiders scoring just 16.8 points per match as compared to their 26.7 average last season.

The Raiders sit 15th on the ladder, with their only win coming courtesy of a golden-point field goal by Ethan Sanders in a 29-28 victory over Manly in round one.

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