The feat that proves Raiders are ready to challenge for premiership
Canberra have underlined their NRL premiership credentials by becoming the first team to defeat the Warriors in New Zealand this season with a gritty 16-10 win.
In a spiteful game played at a rain-soaked GoMedia Stadium, the Raiders (9-3) leapfrogged the Warriors into second spot on the NRL ladder after surviving a late onslaught from the Kiwi side.
The Raiders had two players – Corey Horsburgh and Tom Starling – sent to the sin bin on Sunday but stood tall in Auckland to add the Warriors to their list of 2025 scalps, which also includes Melbourne and Cronulla.
Starling could face the wrath of the match review committee for his 77th-minute high shot on Chanel Harris-Tavita, while Raiders captain Joe Tapine was placed on report twice.
The Warriors drew first blood in the 15th minute when Tapine was penalised for a crusher tackle on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, with Luke Metcalf kicking a penalty goal.
Tapine's ill-discipline was a theme of a first-half Raiders performance where Ricky Stuart's men gave away five penalties and five set restarts.
After Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had powered over Xavier Savage for the game's first try in the 23rd minute, referee Adam Gee lost patience and sent Horsburgh to the sin bin.
The Raiders were on the ropes as the Warriors looked to exploit a 12-man defence, but Canberra were given an avenue back into the game when Harris-Tavita fumbled the ball.
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