23 May 2018

Raiders frustrated by close losses record but remain confident they can turn it around 

| Lachlan Roberts
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Siliva Havili is using every game as a learning process. Photo: Supplied by Canberra Raiders.

Canberra hooker Siliva Havili admitted the Raiders are frustrated by their close losses record but remains confident that they are too good a side not to turn it around.

Havili said the Raiders’ loss to the Dragons on Sunday afternoon was bitterly disappointing and was not up to scratch, but their belief and confidence in each other have not wavered.

He believes the Green Machine have learned their lesson and are ready to tackle Manly on Friday night (25 May) at GIO Stadium.

“We take the close losses pretty personally because it has been a thing that has happened over the recent weeks,” Havili said.

“Knowing the capabilities of our team and the ability of what we can do is the frustrating part of not coming away with a win from these games we should be winning.

“That’s the frustrating part of it, knowing that we do have the ability to put points on a good defensive side.

“There is an inconsistency we see in ourselves playing good and then playing bad and just lapses in the game where we play good footy and other times we give up the ball more than we should.”

The young hooker moved to Canberra this year after impressing with his performances for Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup and with just 35 NRL matches under his belt, he is using every game as a learning process.

“Heading into this game, it is definitely a learning process from last week’s game, especially playing the competition’s leaders who are the benchmark.

“For us to score that many points against them gives us a bit of confidence.”

The 25-year-old believed that tidying up the defence was an integral part to fix if they are to walk away from Friday night’s game against the Sea Eagles with the two points.

“Defensively we were a bit loose in the middle, and I am to blame as well,” Havili said.

“We can put a bit more emphasis on defence and the way we bring our attitude into this weekend’s game. We had our opportunities last week and it was definitely a game we should have won and a game we should have put to bed.

“Hopefully we can come out better this week and a lot more focused and concentrated and ready for Friday.”

Canberra Raiders vs Manly Sea Eagles, Friday 6 pm at GIO Stadium. Buy your tickets here.

Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton, 2 Nick Cotric, 3 Jarrod Croker (c), 4 Joseph Leilua, 5 Jordan Rapana, 6 Blake Austin, 7 Aidan Sezer, 8 Dunamis Lui, 9 Siliva Havili, 10 Shannon Boyd, 11 Josh Papalii, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 Iosia Soliola, 14 Ata Hingano, 15 Luke Bateman, 16 Charlie Gubb, 17 Liam Knight, 18 Emre Guler, 19 Michael Oldfield, 20 Sam Williams, 21 Craig Garvey

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