Rugby League News | Raidercast

Wed, 22nd April, 2026, 12:46 AEST
'We go off early on young blokes': Benji Marshall perfect man to help rising star Heamasi Makasini
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says Heamasi Makasini's week off will aid recovery from foot bruising and boost confidence.
The Australian
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall says a week off will do a world of good for rising star Heamasi Makasini, who limped into training on Wednesday morning in a moon boot a day after he was left out of the team to face the Raiders.
There had been speculation that the 18-year-old had been dropped after a tough night against Brisbane on the weekend, but bone bruising in his foot emerged as the reason he wasn't picked.
Even if Makasini was fully fit, Marshall may have given the towering outside back a week away from the NRL spotlight after what's been a meteoric rise in the space of a few months.
"He's got a bit of bone bruising in his foot, so he wouldn't have been available this week anyway," Marshall said on Wednesday morning ahead of his side's captain's run at Leichhardt Oval.
"But it was probably timely because I think he was ready for a rest. But one thing I will say about Heamasi is he's such a bright talent and he's got a great future ahead of him, and he'll just get some confidence back and come back into the team.
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Wed, 22nd April, 2026, 11:14 AEST
Late mail: Raiders rest X-factor Simi Sasagi for Tigers clash out of precaution
Simi Sasagi is sidelined for Round 8 with a hamstring injury; the Raiders hope he'll return next week.
The Australian
Raiders x-factor Simi Sasagi has been ruled out of the club's round eight game against the Wests Tigers with a hamstring injury.
Sasagi who played a major role in the Raiders last two victories, complained of a tight hamstring after Tuesday's session. Canberra officials decided to rest their star player during Wednesday morning's practice.
The decision to rest Sasagi is precautionary, Raiders officials highlighted playing four games in the last 18 days as the reason for resting their star player for Thursday night's game.
The club is hopeful he will be fit for next week's game against the Titans in the Gold Coast.
Both Savelio Tamale and Daine Laurie are options to replace Sasagi on Thursday night.
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Tue, 21st April, 2026, 17:46 AEST
Storm v Rabbitohs: Bellamy sticks solid; Aitken in the frame
Storm faces Rabbitohs at AAMI Park; Rabbitohs rise to fourth, Storm slumps to 15th after five consecutive losses.
NRL.com
Few could have predicted that when the Rabbitohs travelled to AAMI Park on Anzac Day that they would be 11 spots higher on the ladder than a Storm side that has slumped to five consecutive losses.
Wayne Bennett's side is coming off a comprehensive win over the Dragons that took their record to 4-2 and lifted them to fourth on the ladder.
The Storm, meanwhile, are languishing in 15th spot after a 26-22 loss to the Raiders marked the first time since 2012 that they had lost five straight.
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