Jets winning run ended by Canberra heatwave and second half errors

The Newtown Jets lost their first game of the season on Sunday, going down 28-20 to the Canberra Raiders in a match that was played in abnormally hot conditions at the GIO Stadium.

The Jets had started strongly, scoring two tries in the first ten minutes. Fullback Mawene Hiroti scored the first try and long-striding winger Sam Stonestreet dived over in the corner for Newtown’s second. Neither Newtown try was converted and the Raiders responded with a try and goal in the 13th minute.

Newtown five-eighth Daniel Atkinson scored the try of the match in the 23rd minute, after the Jets forced a possession turn-over when the Raiders had been in a strong attacking position. Atkinson made an exhilarating eighty-metres sprint to score and showed great elusive skills to shrug off a fleet-footed Raiders pursuer. Another converted try and penalty goal to the Raiders saw the two teams go into the half-time break locked up at 14-all.

The in-form Mawene Hiroti scored and converted a try early in the second half, but the Raiders shut down any likelihood of the Jets extending this 20-14 lead.

Another converted try and penalty goal to Canberra enabled the Raiders to take a 22-20 lead with nineteen minutes left to play.

The Raiders looked to be in control for the last quarter of the game, during which they had a greater share of possession while the Jets made repeated errors to worsen their situation. Another converted try to the Raiders in the 71st minute virtually sealed the result.

Jets coach George Ndaira summed up the outcome by noting that Newtown had conceded too much field position and made too many handling errors in the second half (six dropped balls in the last twenty minutes).

Newtown’s opening twenty minutes had been impressive and Daniel Atkinson’s try (converted by Mawene Hiroti) had given the Jets a 14-6 lead that looked to be the basis of an eventual victory.

The oppressive heat was most certainly a factor (37 degrees out on the GIO Stadium playing surface) but as coach Ndaira observed, both teams were playing in the same enervating conditions.

George Ndaira further noted that the Jets hooker Jayden Berrell had turned in an outstanding performance in Sunday’s game.

The Raiders captain, veteran centre Jarrod Croker in his 15th season with the Canberra club, kicked six goals from six attempts to give his side the decisive edge.

Newtown’s next game is away to St George-Illawarra on Sunday, March 26th at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, with this fourth round NSW Cup match timed to commence at 3.55pm.


Record heat and second-half errors help to bring down the Newtown Jets.

NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup – Third Round
Sunday, 19th March 2023
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Canberra Raiders v Newtown Jets
Kick-Off was at 3.40pm.

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.

Half-Time: 14-all.

Playing surface: Excellent.
Weather: Sunny, extremely hot, 37 degrees on the sideline at GIO Stadium; low humidity.

The temperature was said to be a record high temperature for a March day in Canberra’s history.

Drinks breaks were taken during the match at the 20th and 60th minute marks.

Referee: Daniel Luttringer.
Touch Judges: Mitchell Stone, Brad Kiehne.

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.