Rugby League News

The Canberra Raiders dropped winger Savelio Tamale, recalling Matt Timoko for a crucial match against the struggling Melbourne Storm.

The Canberra Times

The Canberra Raiders have axed winger Savelio Tamale with Matt Timoko earning an NRL recall to face a Melbourne Storm side staring down the barrel of unwanted history.

Tamale - who was pulled aside by coach Ricky Stuart during last week's two-point thriller in Perth and told to "believe in his ability" - has been named on an extended bench for Friday night's clash at Canberra Stadium.

Timoko will make his second NRL appearance of the season as he returns to the starting side at centre, with Seb Kris shuffling to the wing and the in-form Simi Sasagi retaining his place in the centres.

Stuart has named an otherwise unchanged team as the Raiders hunt for back-to-back wins to reignite their season after a slow start.

See more...

Despite four straight losses, Melbourne's skipper Harry Grant believes the season's finish line is far off, urging the team to improve and stay focused.

The Canberra Times

With their NRL finals hopes already written off in some quarters on their back of their fourth successive loss, defiant Melbourne skipper Harry Grant says the "finish line" is still far away.

The Storm will look to avoid a 14-year low of five straight losses when they travel to Canberra to face the Raiders.

With a 2-4 record to open the season, they are in unfamiliar territory, sitting 13th on the ladder, with only three teams conceding more points.

The No.9 agreed with the assessment that Melbourne's performance, and particularly defence, wasn't up to standard and said the team needed to "show more grit" when things weren't going their way.

See more...