It was a result that perhaps shocked a few people and a few tippers, as the Canberra Raiders upset the more fancied New Zealand Warriors with ease – beating them 32-12 at Canberra Stadium.
Jarrod Croker and Reece Robinson were the stars, both scoring two tries, as the Raiders took control of the match from the start, and never looked back.
The win was just what the Raiders were after, following their poor performance last week against the North Queensland Cowboys – with Furner saying that his side learnt their lesson from last week’s game.
“I just like the way they reacted today,” he told reporters after the match.
“The attitude was pretty evident in our defence and we scrambled quite well.
“And to restrict a team like the Warriors to two tries – yeah, it was good.”
For the Warriors, they just do not look like the side that made the grand final in 2011, with coach Brian McClennan putting it down to evident fatigue from his players, and some poor defensive reads and plays, that cost his side.
“That first quarter we were under the pump again – and it’s been a regular thing that’s happened,” McClennan said.
“We were getting fatigued … but I’m still pleased – I know the players are trying.”
Despite the Raiders win, there was perhaps one statistic lacking, and that was Jarrod Croker’s goal-kicking – who finished with 2 out of 7.
“He’s very consistent,” Furner said.
“I’ve been in those positions before and you just have those days as goalkicker.
“He’ll learn from that.”