News - Canberra Raiders
News, video and photos from the Canberra Raiders rugby league football club.
www.raiders.com.auHere’s a quick update on the latest around Rabbitohs vs Raiders.
Direct answer
- Recent headlines show the Rabbitohs and Raiders clashing in the 2026 NRL season, with early-season form highlighting the Rabbitohs’ stronger start and the Raiders aiming to rebound after a tough stretch.[1][2]
Context and key points
- Rabbitohs v Raiders in Perth (Optus Stadium) was highlighted as a high-stakes early-season fixture, with the Rabbitohs entering the game in strong ladder position and looking to maintain momentum against the defending minor premiers.[1]
- Canberra’s side featured changes due to Xavier Savage’s injury, with Jed Stuart stepping in, and Brandon Smith returning to a prominent role, signaling how Canberra planned to stabilise its spine and forward pack for a tough road trip.[2]
Recent game outcomes
- In the April 2026 Round 6 matchup at Optus Stadium, the Rabbitohs suffered a loss to the Raiders, with Raiders collecting 36 points to Rabbitohs' 34 in what appears to have been a high-scoring affair. This outcome is part of a pattern where the Raiders have had success against the Rabbitohs in recent encounters.[1]
- The Raiders were attempting to snap a rough patch after an early-season stretch, relying on forward pack rotations and Jed Stuart’s first appearance of the season to shore up their effort on both sides of the ball.[2]
What to watch next (for fans)
- Look for continued strength from the Rabbitohs’ backline, especially the scoring contributions from players like Latrell Mitchell and Alex Johnston, who have been prolific in tries for the team this season.[1]
- For Canberra, monitor how they rotate through their forwards and whether Jed Stuart’s role grows, along with how Xavier Savage’s injury recovery progresses and who steps up to replace him in the wings.[2]
If you’d like, I can pull up more current match previews, live updates, or compile a quick table of head-to-head results and recent form to compare the Rabbitohs and Raiders. I can also create a short chart showing their win-loss trends this season.