Manly on high alert for Leipana NRL raid

Manly coach Trent Barrett says the Sea Eagles are on high alert defensively with Canberra's Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana looming in Friday's NRL clash.

They call them "Leipana".

Not that Manly's defence will need any introduction when they meet in Canberra on Friday night.

Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett said his side were on high alert with the bromance between Raiders centre Joey Leilua and winger Jordan Rapana set to blossom again in their round eight NRL clash.

Canberra's dynamic duo have clicked in 2017, picking up where they left off from last year to score a total of 11 tries, setting up another six and making a total of 10 line breaks to date.

It would sound alarm bells for Manly's left edge defence after they conceded five tries in their 30-26 loss to Melbourne last week.

The last time Manly played Canberra, "Leipana" combined for five tries between them.

"Defensively we will have to be very good and control the footy," Barrett said.

"They've got some big bodies out there who really enjoy running the ball.

"It's a big challenge."

Manly have won five of their past six games in Canberra but the Sea Eagles line up against a Raiders side keen to notch four straight wins and a top-four berth.

They will have to do it without bench forward Darcy Lussick who is out for at least a month with an elbow injury sustained against the Storm.

Queensland forward Nate Myles replaces him on the interchange.

"It is a tough one," Barrett said of the Raiders challenge.

"Canberra in Canberra is always difficult and they are playing really well.

"They are probably one of the form teams in the competition.

"They are everyone's favourite to be thereabouts at the end of the season.

"But the boys enjoy playing down there."


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