Canberra Raiders veteran Sia Soliola says the team needs to tighten up the ruck area to overcome a "scary" slump in form.
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Ricky Stuart has made only one change from their disappointing loss to Newcastle, showing faith in his side to bounce back when they meet the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium this weekend.
The Green Machine reconvened at Raiders HQ to review their first loss of the 2020 season on Tuesday, with Soliola saying they need to address their defensive efforts and clean up the ruck.
He labelled the loss as a "chalk and cheese" performance given they had gone from defeating NRL heavyweights Melbourne Storm to conceding more than 30 points.
"There was an issue there that was pretty scary," Soliola said.
"You can imagine the disappointment with that performance, whether it be a physical or mental thing we'll address it [on Tuesday].
"We need to just sit down because it's pretty scary to think given the start we've had, trying to come off the back of a good off-season and break during the COVID period, to then have 30-odd points put against us - that's an issue.
"It was a chalk and cheese performance, there are probably some issues there. We haven't been going as well as what we have been."
MORE RAIDERS NEWS
English forward Ryan Sutton has been brought in at No.20 in what could potentially be his first game of the season, with Stuart naming an unchanged 17.
Wests coach Michael Maguire has weild the axe in response to last week's shock-loss to the Gold Coast Titans, dropping in-form Benji Marshall to the reserves.
Josh Reynolds will instead partner Luke Brooks in the halves, despite only playing just nine matches over the past two seasons combined.
The Tigers' return from the coronavirus-forced break has mirrored that of the Raiders, starting with a strong win over Cronulla before suffering a round-four defeat.
"They're probably in a similar boat to what we are given the results," Soliola said.
"They'll be looking to bounce back, knowing Madge and the way that he is, he'll be getting the boys ready mentally and physically.
"They've definitely got a lot of strike within their ranks as well, directed by a really great player and two halves with Benji [Marshall] and Luke Brooks.
"We're going to have to be a whole lot better around our ruck, we're going to have to tidy that up.
"It comes down to the choices we make first and foremost. We have to go in and match their forwards if we want to have a chance."
Star five-eighth Jack Wighton has been named to start but will have to complete concussion protocols this week to be passed fit to play the Tigers.
Wighton missed the end of Sunday's loss to Newcastle after copping a head-knock in a late tackle from Sione Mata'utia.
Stuart was left frustrated and raised concerns about Wighton becoming a target for opposition sides to hit late because of his stellar kick chase.
While Soliola was confident the Clive Churchill Medalist would recover in time for this weekend's clash, he suggested the Raiders address ways they can better protect Wighton from copping late hits.
"His kicking game is a really big part of who we are and our brand," Soliola said.
"I guess teams are identifying that it's a really big asset for us. If that's an area where teams are going to try and nullify, then we have to be on the front footy as well to eliminate and restrict the opportunities for players to get to Jack.
"[I've spoken] to him, he seems good to go but don't take my word on that - I'll leave it up to the professionals. He's still got to go through all the processes that's required of him."
NRL ROUND FIVE
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium, 7.35pm. Live on Fox League.
Raiders team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker (C) 4. Curtis Scott 5. Nick Cotric 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson (C) 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Joe Tapine 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Siliva Havili 15. Emre Guler 16. Sia Soliola 17. Jordan Rapana 18. Tom Starling 19. Matt Frawley 20. Ryan Sutton 21. Michael Oldfield