LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Raiders' Young Guns Set to Shine: Canberra's Las Vegas Adventure Unveiled
In a move that could only be described as a long-term contract upgrade followed by an NRL debut in Sin City, the Canberra Raiders are set to unleash their next generation of talent on the Rugby League world.
Coach Ricky Stuart, known for his willingness to take risks and trust the younger players, has decided to give the keys to the Green Machine to Owen Pattie, who will make his debut coming off the bench as the backup hooker for Tom Starling.
It has been a meteoric rise for Pattie, who wasn't even a part of the Raiders' top-30 squad for most of the year.
However, his hard work and impressive performances during the pre-season and trials have earned him this opportunity to showcase his talent on the big stage.
Pattie's inclusion in the lineup comes after a stellar performance in the pre-season trial against the Penrith Panthers, where he outshone veteran hooker Danny Levi to secure his spot in the 17.
Joining Pattie in his debut will be Savelio Tamale, who will take his place on the wing.
Tamale, who made his NRL debut last year for the St George Illawarra Dragons, will be looking to make an impact against his former opponents.
In other team news, Zac Hosking has recovered from a calf injury and is set to start in the second row.
Additionally, the duo of Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies, who made headlines for their Sin City scuffle, have both been named in the lineup, showing that nothing can keep these young players down as they look to make their mark in the Rugby League world.