Jets dominant first half sets up win against the Raiders.

Match Report:

The Newtown Jets gained two valuable competition points when they defeated the Canberra Raiders 34-26 at the GIO Stadium, Canberra last Sunday. 

The match was played in perfect autumn weather and Newtown turned on a top class first half, scoring four tries to set up a 22-4 lead at half-time. The only blemish was a try to the Raiders with just nine seconds on the clock before the half-time siren.

Last Sunday (29th March) was a perfect autumn day in Canberra – 22 degrees and sunny, plus the playing surface at the GIO Stadium, Canberra was perfect. (MAF)

Newtown then had to withstand a determined fightback by the Raiders in the second half, with the Green Machine outscoring Newtown by 22 points to 12 (4 tries to 2) in the second forty minutes. 

The Raiders were right back in the game, trailing 28-14 with just over twenty minutes remaining and making good use of a surplus of possession, favourable field position and a run of penalties going the Raiders way.

The Jets quicksilver left centre Michael Gabrael had sliced through to score Newtown’s first try on the back of a turnover of possession by the Raiders. Then it was Newtown’s right side centre Riley Jones who showed great strength and determination to crash over for a try in the tenth minute.

Newtown Jets front-rower Peter Taateo showed good form against his former Raiders team-mates in last Sunday’s clash. (MAF)

Newtown hooker and captain Jayden Berrell was playing his first match in the royal blue jersey this season, and he scored from a deft grubber kick into the in-goal that the Raiders were unable to defuse. The Jets fourth try in the first half was scored by the ever-dependable and hard running Mawene Hiroti, who also converted three of Newtown’s first half tries.

The Raiders won the race to touch down a well-flighted grubber kick into the Newtown in-goal, with just nine seconds left to play in the first half. The 22-4 half-time lead put the Jets in a strong position heading into the second half.

Jets centre Michael Gabrael (Newtown’s top try-scorer in 2025) is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring in the fifth minute last Sunday. (MAF)

The interchange middle forward Felix Faatili took advantage of possession close to the Raiders tryline, along with not fully committed defence, to score early in the second half. Hiroti’s conversion extended Newtown’s lead to 28-4.

A succession of penalties enabled the Raiders to spend time in Newtown’s twenty-metre zone and two tries and a conversion had Canberra back in the contest, trailing by 28-14 with just on twenty minutes left to play.

A top-class midfield offload by Jets prop Tuku Hau Tapuha released Newtown’s five-eighth Taj Ford on a thrilling forty-metres dash to score the try that might well have clinched victory for the Jets.

Jets five-eighth Taj Ford on his way to a vital try for Newtown, after receiving a perfect midfield offload from big Tuku Hau Tapuha (on the ground). (MAF)

Time was running out for the men from the National Capital, but they still added two converted tries for the final score to read 34-26, albeit with the final Raiders try being scored in the 78th minute.

The class and leadership of Jayden Berrell and Mawene Hiroti was a major asset for the Jets. Former Raiders forwards Peter Taateo and Jaxon Lavender (49 tackles) turned in big games against their former club-mates. The Raiders surplus of possession and favourable field position in the second half would be a matter of concern to the Jets coaching staff. 

This Saturday, 4th April, is Newtown’s first home game for the 2026 NSW Cup season, with the fifth round encounter against the New Zealand Warriors kicking off at 3.00pm.

Match Details:

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup

Round 4

Sunday, 29th March 2026

GIO Stadium, Canberra

Canberra Raiders v Newtown

Kick-Off: 1.45pm.

Match Officials:
Referee: Tom Stindl
Touch Judges: Mitchell Stone, Curtis Robinson
Standby: Liam Richardson.

This group of Newtown Jets players leave the field at halftime, knowing that they had a substantial lead against the Raiders of 22-4.

From left to right: Riley Jones, Tom Haberecht (Blue Shirt Trainer), Jayden Berrell, Jaxon Lavender, Mawene Hiroti, Riley Pollard and a NSWRL touch judge. (MAF)

Match Result:

Newtown 34:
Michael Gabrael, Riley Jones,

Jayden Berrell, Mawene Hiroti,

Felix Faatili, Taj Ford tries;

Mawene Hiroti 5 conversions

defeated

Canberra Raiders 26:
Ethan Alaia, Mark Tuialii,

Matthew Timoko, Jordan Uta,

Chevy Stewart tries;

Chevy Stewart 3 conversions.

Half-Time: Newtown led 22-4.

Last Sunday’s teams were:

Newtown:
Fullback: Mawene Hiroti

Wingers: Kristian Dixon, Joe Nadenic

Centres: Riley Jones, Michael Gabrael

Halves: Taj Ford, Riley Pollard

Lock: Blake Hosking
Second-Rowers: Jaxon Lavender, Harrison Hassett

Front-Rowers: Peter Taateo, Tuku Hau Tapuha

Hooker: Jayden Berrell (Captain)
Interchange:
Brad Fearnley, Sam McCulloch
Felix Faatili, Khaled Rajab

Reserve: Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa
Coach: George Ndaira.

Canberra Raiders:
Fullback: Chevy Stewart (Captain)
Wingers: Sione Finau, Mark Tuialii

Centres: Kain Anderson, Matthew Timoko

Halves: Ethan Alaia, Jalen Afamasaga

Lock: Malachi Smith
Second-Rowers: Jordan Uta, Roman Tuaimau

Front-Rowers: Samuel Hyne, Myles Martin

Hooker: Owen Pattie
Interchange:
Shaun Packer, Michael Asomua

Jake Clydsdale, Jayze Tuigamala

Reserve: Braydon Darmody

Coach: Chris Lewis.

This group of Newtown Jets players leave the field at halftime, knowing that they had a substantial lead against the Raiders of 22-4.

From left to right: Riley Jones, Tom Haberecht (Blue Shirt Trainer), Jayden Berrell, Jaxon Lavender, Mawene Hiroti, Riley Pollard and a NSWRL touch judge. (MAF)