Although blessed with attacking strike in their backline, the battle of the forward packs will have a biggest say in deciding the result between the Broncos and Raiders.
Another dominant performance from Broncos prop Payne Haas will be key to any chance of his side going on in their quest to avenge their 2023 grand final defeat, with the representative star making no secret about his desire to win a ring.
Their first hurdle is overcoming a fired-up Raiders team led from the front by representative forwards Joseph Tapine, Corey Horsburgh and Josh Papalii (ankle), who is under an injury cloud but has been named to start.
“It’s (why) you want to be a part of these kind of games and I think especially Paps, I've looked up to him all my career, even when I was younger,” Haas said of Papalii - a potential Samoa team-mate in this year's Pacific Championships.
“Obviously versing guys like him and Taps [Tapine] is always special and Big Red, [Horsburgh]. I feel like versing these guys is where you want to be to test yourself.
"I can't wait and obviously, we have to nullify them to try and get the win.”
For backrower Jordan Riki, the return to the finals arena once again after last year’s disappointing 12th-place finish was “exciting” and a chance for his side to turn that pain into a premiership.
The Kiwi representative also thought his team had absorbed the lessons from their heartbreaking 2023 grand final loss against the Panthers and come out the other side, determined to be a force in this year’s finals campaign.
“I was so filthy and dirty last year, we just missed out last year," Riki said. “To be able to be back in that finals arena is such an exciting thing.
“In 2023, we were all such fresh faces and really … rarely played finals, but I definitely know that we can take a lot of learnings from that year.
“A lot of us have matured, I'd say mentally and physically as well.
“We know what to do going back into the finals arena and I just can't wait and I can't wait to just give back to our fans as well.
“It's time for Brissie to be able to bring that trophy home.”
Taking on Canberra in Canberra for the second time this year, Riki said his side would be well prepared for the challenge after going down 32-22 in Round 2.
“Canberra have been on top of the table and have bee such a quality side throughout this whole year," Riki said.
"We went down there in Round 2 and come away after loss there so that’ll definitely be in the back of our minds.
“We just need to stick to the basics.”
Match: Raiders v Broncos
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Raiders
1st Position
away Team
Broncos
4th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
