Don't get carried away, Raiders warned

Canberra veteran Shaun Fensom says coach Ricky Stuart has warned the side not to get carried away and slow down after opening the NRL season with two wins.

Coach Ricky Stuart has implored Canberra not to take their foot off the pedal despite enjoying a dream start to the NRL season.

Not since 2005 have the Raiders been undefeated after two rounds, following gutsy wins over Penrith and the Sydney Roosters at GIO Stadium.

They face last-placed Newcastle away on Saturday and an unfancied Gold Coast next week at home, giving them the potential to be 4-0 for the first time in more than a decade.

Many pundits, including rugby league immortal Andrew Johns, reckon they're a top-four side.

"Everyone's hungry, everyone wants to succeed here, but you can't get carried away," veteran workhorse Shaun Fensom said on Tuesday.

"We've still got a lot to improve on."

Fensom admitted the Raiders didn't play well against the Roosters, despite walking away 21-20 victors thanks to a field goal to Sam Williams in the dying minutes.

He said they needed to step things up against the Knights who, after being thrashed 48-6 by South Sydney at the weekend and by 28 points to the Titans in round one, would be fired up.

"Everyone's been patting us on the back but it's going to be a tough game," he added.

"We have to make sure that we're prepared for that. We can't take it easy.

"It's their first home game and they haven't started the season well."

Fensom sat out most almost the whole game against the Roosters after being concussed in the opening minute while attempting a tackle on Dylan Napa.

He has already passed two concussions tests and will face another later this week, but has been named for the Knights clash.

Rookie playmaker Lachlan Croker will get another crack at five-eighth despite hurting his shoulder late in the second half against the Roosters on debut, alongside halfback Sam Williams.

Brenko Lee, the cousin of winger Edrick Lee, has been called in to replace centre Joey Leilua who has been suspended for two weeks for a dangerous throw on Saturday on Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Leilua will be forced to sit out an extra match if he fails to beat a contrary conduct charge at the judiciary on Wednesday night for striking Napa.

The Raiders will continue to be without star halves Blake Austin (knee) and Aidan Sezer (eye socket) until at least round five, while recruit Adam Clydesdale is slated for a round-three return.


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Source: AAP


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