Despite a promising start, the Jets have failed to go on with the job, slipping to a 28-20 loss to the Raiders at GIO Stadium.
In a match played in 30-plus degree weather on Sunday, the Newtown side scored the opening two tries of the match, however errors and ill discipline allowed their opponents off the hook on a too many occasions and in the energy sapping heat they were unable to keep turning the Raiders away in a disappointing second half performance.
The Jets were on the board early through Mawene Hiroti, the fullback winning the race to a clever Niwhai Puru kick and when Sam Stonestreet crossed in the opposite corner shortly after, at 8-0 up it appeared the Newtown side would have too much firepower for the Raiders to combat.
But from that point the Raiders would rally with a try to Jed Stuart narrowing the margin, however a Daniel Atkinson try, the Sharks contracted five eighth running 75 metres to score pushed the Jets lead back out to eight points at 14-6.
Again the Jets would clock off, a converted try, then penalty goal to the Raiders sending the teams to half time locked up at 14-all.
Hiroti scored a second four pointer five minutes into the half, before converting his own try, but that would be the last time the Jets would trouble the scoreboard attendant, two Canberra tries, two Jarrod Crocker conversions and a penalty goal rounding out the scoring.
For the Jets Hiroti was busy at the back, Tom Hazelton amongst their best forwards, while newcomer Tuku Hau Tapuha had his moments in his Jets debut.
With the loss the Jets are now two from three to start the season with a game against the St George Illawarra Dragons coming up next Sunday in round four.
Canberra Raiders 28
Jed Stuart, Clay Webb, Brad Schneider, Brad Morkos tries;
Jarrod Croker 4 conversions, 2 penalty goals
defeated
Newtown 20
Maweni Hiroti 2, Samuel Stonestreet, Daniel Atkinson tries;
Maweni Hiroti 2 conversions.
Weather: Sunny, extremely hot, 37 degrees on the sideline at GIO Stadium; low humidity.
Newtown’s team on Sunday was:
Fullback: Mawene Hiroti
Wingers: Josh Mansour, Samuel Stonestreet
Centres: Jacob Gagan, Kayal Iro
Halves: Daniel Atkinson, Niwhai Puru
Lock: Billy Magoulias (Captain)
Second-Rowers: Jordin Leiu, Charbel Tasipale
Front-Rowers: Caleb Uele, Thomas Hazelton
Hooker: Jayden Berrell.
Interchange: Rhys Dakin, Tyler Slade, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Kyle Pickering.
Reserve: Thomas Rodwell.
Coach: George Ndaira.
The Canberra Raiders team was:
Fullback: Rayden Burns
Wingers: Jed Stuart, Semi Valemi
Centres: Jarrod Croker (Captain), Brad Morkos
Joshua James, Brad Schneider
Lock: Hohepa Puru
Second-Rowers: Jordan Martin, Clay Webb
Front-Rowers: Peter Hola, Jayden Clarkson
Hooker: Zac Woolford.
Interchange: Tane Kiriona, Juwan Compain, Mitchell Spencer, Mitchel Souter.
Reserve: Utuloa Asomua
Coach: Justin Giteau.
Match Timeline
5th minute: Mawene Hiroti try, not converted. Newtown 4-0.
9th minute: Samuel Stonestreet try, not converted. Newtown 8-0.
13th minute: Jed Stuart try, converted by Jarrod Croker. Newtown 8-6.
23rd minute: Daniel Atkinson try, converted by Mawene Hiroti. Newtown 14-6.
29th minute: Jacob Gagan on report for a dangerous tackle.
32nd minute: Clay Webb try, converted by Jarrod Croker. Newtown 14-12.
39th minute: Jarrod Croker penalty goal. 14-all.
Half-Time: 14-all.
45th minute: Mawene Hiroti try and conversion. Newtown 20-14.
52nd minute: Brad Schneider try, Jarrod Croker conversion. 20-all.
60th minute. Goal-line drop-out penalty. Jarrod Croker penalty goal. Raiders 22-20 (61st minute)The Canberra Raiders took the lead for the first time in the game at the 61st minute mark.
71st minute: Brad Morkos try, Jarrod Croker conversion. Raiders lead 28-20.
The Newtown Jets made six errors in the last twenty minutes.
Full-Time: Canberra Raiders win 28-20.
Newtown’s next game details:
NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Fourth Round
Sunday, 26th March 2023
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
St George-Illawarra v Newtown
Kick-Off: 3.55pm.
