The Sydney Roosters have gone down to the Canberra Raiders 38-32 in a brilliant top of the table clash at Allianz Stadium.
Missing inspirational five-eighth Samisoni Langi who was promoted to 18th man in the NRL game later in the evening, the Tricolours fought hard but it wasn't enough against the competition front runners.
Shaquille Blair was a stand out for the home side, constantly breaking through the Raiders defence.
The home side got off to a flyer with two quick tries, first after a great solo effort from Breadan Batiste before Brendan Elliot pounced on a dropped bomb to add the second.
Against the run of play the Raiders then pulled off one of the best charge downs you will see to race away and score.
It was all the Raiders after that as they ran in three quick tries to lead the home side by four.
After a tough struggle the Raiders then started to pull clear, two tries extending their lead to fourteen later in the first stanza.
The Tricolours then showed great determination to wrestle their way back in to the match with the forwards really starting to take ownership in the middle.
It was the outside backs who then did the rest with a slick backline movement ending up in the hands of Capewell who cruised over to put the Tricolours within eight.
The two sides went try for try early on in the second including a great athletic effort from Roosters winger Jack Goodsell.
A sneaky run from dummy half then turned in to a four pointer as Bradley Dietz put the home side to within two.
A brilliant chip kick out wide from the visiting dummy half set up Reuben to score his fourth and put the Raiders in front by a converted try.
Pushing hard to ensure victory, the Raiders then crossed with ten minutes to play, again off the back of a kick, to secure victory despite a later try to Tricolours hooker Alex Thomas.
Missing inspirational five-eighth Samisoni Langi who was promoted to 18th man in the NRL game later in the evening, the Tricolours fought hard but it wasn't enough against the competition front runners.
Shaquille Blair was a stand out for the home side, constantly breaking through the Raiders defence.
The home side got off to a flyer with two quick tries, first after a great solo effort from Breadan Batiste before Brendan Elliot pounced on a dropped bomb to add the second.
Against the run of play the Raiders then pulled off one of the best charge downs you will see to race away and score.
It was all the Raiders after that as they ran in three quick tries to lead the home side by four.
After a tough struggle the Raiders then started to pull clear, two tries extending their lead to fourteen later in the first stanza.
The Tricolours then showed great determination to wrestle their way back in to the match with the forwards really starting to take ownership in the middle.
It was the outside backs who then did the rest with a slick backline movement ending up in the hands of Capewell who cruised over to put the Tricolours within eight.
The two sides went try for try early on in the second including a great athletic effort from Roosters winger Jack Goodsell.
A sneaky run from dummy half then turned in to a four pointer as Bradley Dietz put the home side to within two.
A brilliant chip kick out wide from the visiting dummy half set up Reuben to score his fourth and put the Raiders in front by a converted try.
Pushing hard to ensure victory, the Raiders then crossed with ten minutes to play, again off the back of a kick, to secure victory despite a later try to Tricolours hooker Alex Thomas.
