<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>339502</docID> <postdate>2025-03-03 10:13:06</postdate> <headline>Raiders’ big Vegas win comes at cost for Tapine, Savage</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-339503" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20240804116523867030-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Xavier Savage is one of two Raiders in doubt for their next NRL clash due to impending bans. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Jasper Bruce</strong> in Las Vegas</span></p> <p><strong>Canberra's statement win in Las Vegas has come at a big cost with captain Joe Tapine and star winger Xavier Savage facing suspensions from the NRL match review committee.</strong></p> <p>Raiders captain Tapine went to the sin bin for shoulder-charging Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett in the second half of the 30-8 victory that opened the NRL season on Sunday (AEDT).</p> <p>"We turned the ball over and that's my job, I'm trying to pump the boys up and I'm trying to turn the momentum," Tapine said of the hit.</p> <p>He will miss Canberra's next two games against Brisbane and Manly with an early guilty plea for his grade-two charge, but risks sitting out a third game against North Queensland by taking his case to the judiciary.</p> <p>Coach Ricky Stuart said the NRL had set the standard for shoulder-charge calls this season by sin-binning Tapine.</p> <p>"I'm not saying it's the wrong call, but it's a massive call. But as long as it stays in every game now," Stuart said.</p> <p>Savage, tipped as the Raiders' successor to livewire back Jordan Rapana, is set to miss the Broncos clash for attacking Chanel Harris-Tavita's legs as he kicked in the first half.</p> <p>The NRL takes a dim view of similar shots, with Freddy Lussick notably inflicting a serious leg injury on Lachlan Ilias in the NSW Cup last year.</p> <p>Savage will miss a second game if he challenges his grade-two dangerous contact charge.</p> <p>It's a bitter blow for a Canberra side that missed finals last year but produced their most complete performance in memory during the first game of the season.</p> <p>Albert Hopoate appears the likeliest man to come into the backline for the Raiders after he missed the trip to Vegas to attend the birth of his child.</p> <p>Trey Mooney, Myles Martin and Pasami Saulo are among middle-forward options that could replace Tapine in the 17.</p> <p>https://citynews.com.au/2025/viva-las-raiders-after-canberra-teams-massive-win-in-vegas/</p> </body>