Raiders Coach Opts for Youth in Pre-Season Trials as Tapine Celebrates New Arrival
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has made a strategic decision to rest a majority of his established NRL stars in two upcoming pre-season trial matches. This move is designed to minimise injury risks ahead of the club's official 2026 campaign commencement on March 7 in Manly.
Stuart emphasised that only first-grade players in positions with considerable depth, such as centre and wing, are likely to see limited game time. This approach effectively rules out key figures including young halves Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders, superstar fullback Kaeo Weekes, and the experienced forward pack led by captain Joe Tapine.
Family Joy for Skipper Tapine
The extra rest will be particularly welcomed by skipper Joe Tapine, who celebrated a significant personal milestone. In the early hours of Friday morning, Tapine and his wife Kirsten welcomed their baby boy, Zeke, via a home birth.
Kirsten Tapine shared the heartfelt news on social media, expressing, "Surrounded by nothing but unconditional family love. Our dream homebirth, you found your way to us, our beautiful son. Our hearts grew in ways we didn't know were possible. Welcome to the world, our Zekey boy."
Opportunity Knocks for Emerging Talent
With senior players resting, the spotlight turns to a cohort of promising young Raiders eager to prove their worth. In the forward line, several players yet to make their NRL debut are in contention for a crack at the Melbourne Storm.
These include Jake Clydsdale, Myles Martin, Vena Patuki-Case, and Jayze Tuigamala. In the back-row, green first-graders Joe Roddy and Noah Martin are potential options, though Stuart has a wealth of forward choices to allow even less experienced players to showcase their abilities.
Backline and Halves Considerations
The halves present an interesting scenario. Promising 19-year-old signing Coby Black remains indefinitely sidelined with a neck nerve injury, ruling him out of the trials. This paves the way for more experienced new recruit Daine Laurie to get a shot at five-eighth at Seiffert Oval.
However, the question of who will partner Laurie in the halves, if not Black or Sanders, remains unanswered. At fullback, Chevy Stewart, who had a much-hyped debut in 2024 but played only one NRL game last season, might be greenlit to take the reins with Weekes rested.
Goulburn's Ethan Alaia, who impressed in last year's trials, could also feature in the number one jersey. At hooker, Shaun Packer and NRL rookie Owen Pattie may reprise their pre-season pairing from last year, giving Tom Starling a break.
Stuart's Strategic Vision for the Trials
Ricky Stuart outlined his philosophy for the pre-season matches in a statement to The Canberra Times. "I'll be using these trials as an opportunity to get a little bit of an idea on some areas that we've got some depth in positions," Stuart explained.
"But more importantly for younger players to get an opportunity to play that higher class of football. I see the risk of injury too high in regards to what you can gain from 25 minutes of trial time."
The NRL pre-season challenge allows up to 28 players to be used in each game with unlimited interchange, providing ample opportunity for squad rotation and assessment.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Raiders are set to face the Melbourne Storm this Friday at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30pm. While the entire NRL squad will be in attendance to meet fans, only a fraction will take the field.
A second trial match is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, against the Cronulla Sharks at Gosford, starting at 3:50pm. These matches serve as crucial preparation platforms, balancing competitive exposure with prudent player management as the new season approaches.
