A win in Western Australia has laid the foundation for Canberra’s NRL finals charge, but lock Morgan Smithies says the trip itself has done more for the side’s confidence.
The Raiders produced a gritty 36-34 victory against South Sydney on Saturday in Perth, snapping a four-game losing streak that had threatened to derail the team’s finals aspirations.
Before the match, the Green Machine were having the worst start for a team that had won the league’s minor premiership the previous year since the Sydney Roosters went 0-5 in 2016.
Victory took their season record to 2-4, and they will look to build on it when they face Melbourne on Friday night at GIO Stadium.
Smithies said the win over the Rabbitohs was important for confidence, and that travel may be key to helping the Raiders stay inspired down the track.
“It was obviously quite a tough few weeks for the lads. We didn’t get any results we wanted,” Smithies said.
“To spend the time together as we did go away for the week was just what we needed.
“It does a lot. It probably does more than what training does as we spend time with each other.
“Hopefully we start to build some form, and then at the back end of this year we’ll be firing.”
Smithies said withstanding the Rabbitohs’ late surge was also vital for the Raiders and made them hungrier to back up that victory with another two points come Friday night.
Coach Ricky Stuart has made some changes ahead of the Storm clash, most notably shifting winger Savelio Tamale to the extended squad and parachuting centre Sebastian Kris into the No.2 jersey.
It came after Tamale dropped two high balls in the first half and fumbled an easy pass in the second half on Saturday in what looked to be a major case of the yips.
“No one ever means to make errors,” fullback Kaeo Weekes said.
“When you have and when you don’t have it (confidence), ‘Stick’ (Stuart) really instils confidence into us boys
“We’ve got to make sure Sav’s all right, and I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
Matt Timoko also returns after rebuilding from a foot injury in the NSW Cup, while Jed Stuart has retained his No.5 jersey after Xavier Savage was ruled out for eight weeks with an ankle injury.
