Rapana's feats just normal now: Stuart
Jun 4, 2017 - 8:25 AM Jordan Rapana's freakish ability on Canberra's right wing has become so consistent it's now just expected of him, according to Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.Rapana spearheaded the Raiders from a 20-6 half-time deficit to golden point against Manly on Sunday before they were sunk by a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal.
The Canberra winger scored both of the Raiders' second-half tries, and also set up their only one in the first to keep the visitors in the contest at Lottoland.
The double took Rapana to the top of the competition's try-scoring lists, while according to Fox Sports Stats he has also made the most linebreaks (17) and tackle busts (92).
"We've become too used to it with Jordan and BJ (Leilua) and certain individuals in the team," Stuart said.
"When they're down people think the world is caving in. Jordan has been up now for a while."
The Kiwi winger's second-half heroics were even more special for the Raiders when considering they lost forwards Shannon Boyd and Dunamis Lui in the first 20 minutes.
Stuart lauded his team's mental strength in their heartbreaking 21-20 golden point loss - but it has unfortunately become an all-too-familiar story for the club legend this season.
Sunday's extra-time loss was their third of the year - and their second against Manly.
It leaves last year's preliminary finalists languishing in ninth, however they would be as high as fifth had they claimed victory in all three.
But Stuart said the fact they were able to mount Sunday's comeback showed they were still a force to be reckoned with.
"We showed a lot of mental strength," he said.
"As soon as we saw the first try in the second-half, we were confident we were going to be able to get back into this game.
"To be able to say that is a good feeling to know you have that in your team.
"We're nowhere near where we'll get to and nowhere near where we want to be."
Source: AAP
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