Hosking shines as Raiders blow Tigers away but it comes at a cost

The Canberra Raiders second-rower has made an instant impact in the capital, showing not only his skill and strong defence, but his versatility as well.

Hosking was part of a convincing Canberra 32-12 victory over Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium on Saturday - their eighth win in a row against the combine club.

They bolted to a 14-0, before Wests fought back with two tries before the Raiders settled and cruised to victory.

It was Canberra coach Ricky Stuart's 250^th win as an NRL coach and came in front of the best Raiders opening home crowd since 2002, with 16,968 backing the home team.

Hosking helped set Matt Timoko away on a massive break that eventually led to a Jordan Rapana first-half try.

He scored a try of his own - off a Jamal Fogarty bomb - and he highlighted his versatility in the process.

That try came playing at left centre, having shifted there when Sebastian Kris went off with a head knock.

Kris subsequently failed his head injury assessment and Stuart said he was unlikely to be available to face the New Zealand Warriors in Christchurch next week.

"I think he'll miss next week ... I don't think Sebby's going to be right for the Warriors," Stuart said.

If Hosking ends up being the Green Machine's best buy, then Morgan Smithies could come in a close second.

The big-hearted Northern Englishman played the entire game after starting at lock and showed he's also made up of plenty competitive fight as well.

He could be seen barking at his Raiders teammates when they were under pressure early in the second half, camped on their own tryline for repeat sets.

Smithies ran for 103 metres and made 39 tackles in a massive effort.

He also showed his versatility, shifting to the second row when Rapana went off for a head injury assessment.

Stuart indicated Smithies was likely to be his No.13 going forward, with Corey Horsburgh set to move into the middle forward rotation.

Horsburgh's available to face the Warriors after completing his suspension, while Elliott Whitehead's set to return from a calf injury.

"Zac and Morgan have both shown in the last two games they've made us a better team," Stuart said.

"I knew what Zac was going to bring to us before he played. A lot of people don't.

"I said to [Morgan] at half-time, just give me a big 10 minutes here and then I was going to give him a spell.

I said to him after the game that's the best 10 minutes I've ever seen. I had to leave him on there.

"He ended up playing left back-row and Hosko having to go out to the centres so they both defended together there."

Stuart will be happy with the early signs from a left edge pairing of Kris and Xavier Savage.

They set up the opening try for Danny Levi and then combined to score another, with Savage's pace simply too quick for the Tigers' right edge.

"They are [looking good]. They're two brothers, they're two good mates," Stuart said.

"It's so good playing with someone you've got a good relationship with.

"Sebby and Xavier came and spoke to me, Xavier spoke to me first about him wanting to play left wing because he's got a great relationship with Sebby, which got me a bit shitty because I said, 'You can play wherever you want. You've got talent. It's all you.'

"He's got a bit more belief in himself and he's maturing now, Xavier."

It wasn't a happy return to Canberra for former Raider John Bateman, who was booed on his first carry and ended up in a running argument with not only his opponents but the referee as well - and was almost sent to the sin bin for dissent.

The Tigers have a couple of worries - aside from the result - with Starford To'a limping off with an ankle injury and Aidan Sezer put on report for a hit shot on Rapana.

Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange also impressed, scoring a fantastic solo try in the first half - stepping one player, breaking a tackle and then carrying two Tigers over.

It was his first NRL try in just his third game.

He also produced a try-saving tackle late in the second half.

Wests' discipline was awful early - giving away three penalties, two six agains and two errors in the opening 20 minutes.

In contrast the Raiders' defence - on the few occasions the Tigers had the ball - was excellent.

Three of the Tigers' youngest players combined for their first try, with Galvin turning it back inside for Jahream Bula to offload for Samuela Fainu to crash over - Rapana and Bula clashing heads in the process.

The game was almost level within the blink of an eye, with Wests captain Api Koroisau darting out of dummy half to score.

But the Raiders settled with Savage's try, making it 24-12 at the break.

Now the Raiders face a tough test, travelling to Christchurch to take on the Warriors - heading across the Ditch on Monday.

AT A GLANCE

CANBERRA RAIDERS 32 (Danny Levi, Ethan Strange, Jordan Rapana, Xavier Savage, Zac Hosking tries; Jamal Fogarty 6 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 12 (Samuela Fainu, Api Koroisau tries; Koroisau 2 goals) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 16,968.