Ricky Stuart’s men suffered their fourth-straight defeat as the Newcastle Knights Origin stars soared in their final audition in the nation’s capital.
In a final bid to cement their spot in the State of Origin decider, Knights trio Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Dane Gagai stunned across the field, each recording over 130 run metres.
Gagai was first to fire a message to Maroons coach Billy Slater, proving too strong for the Raiders left edge defence to power over the line twice.
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“That was too easy,” Andrew Johns said.
“Canberra are in real strife now,” Thompson added.
Jackson Hastings forfeited kicking duties in the second half as he battled a groin injury, with NSW Cup star Will Pryce slotting the extra two points.
The “unsettled” Raiders line looked short of power as Ponga made 40 metre break down the sideline to push the Knights back inside their oppositions half.
Dane Gagai breaks a tackle to score a try. Getty
The Knights made easy metres before a week pass inside the 10 was intercepted by Whitehead who ran the field to put the Raiders back into the contest.
“They were very unsettled the Raiders defence… but there he is,” Fittler said.
“The sub eleven sprinter – don’t you love finding him in space.”
“We’ve got a game again!” Thompson replied.
The Raiders defence proved the costly factor in the second half, with six errors, 32 missed tackles and 676 kick metres required to minimise the Knights attack.
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The final 10 minutes saw the Raiders gain valuable field position in bid to reduce there four-point deficit, however, repeated errors from both side’s and a late try attempt by Ethan Strange sealed the scores for the evening.
“Coach Ricky Stuart – he’s seen enough,” Fittler said.
“But Dane Gagai may have done enough to creep in (for the Maroons)… and Bradman Best – he didn’t get much of the ball – but he was fantastic.”
Kalyn Ponga runs the ball. Getty
Earlier, Papali’i record six runs for 51 metres, three tackle breaks and a try in the open seven minutes of the match, which looked set to ignited the home side’s talent.
But the try was held back by referee Gerard Sutton, who sent the action to bunker for review.
“He’s smiling… that’s a try,” Brad Fittler said on Nine as the bunker reviewed the call.
However, video replays indicated Papali’i, who burrowed over from close range, had successfully grounded the ball.
“They have dominated territory and dominated possession,” Nine’s Mat Thompson said.