Raiders eye Titans gun after latest contract coup

Canberra Raiders have locked down one of their rising stars on a long-term deal, with Sebastian Kris remaining with the club until 2027.Kris has played the whole season at fullback for the club, having originally come into the side as a centre. The 24-year-old has played 15 games in 2023."I'm very happy I'm staying here in Canberra and there's nowhere else I'd rather be," he said."I've come through the lower grades here when I was 14 and 15 and I don't see myself anywhere else. I'm very proud of what I've achieved so far and I'm looking forward to improving and getting better as a player."Scoring 29 tries throughout his career, Kris has been a versatile member of the Raiders squad having rotated between wing, centre and fullback.Kris has managed to keep Xavier Savage out of the fullback position this season with the 21-year-old Savage currently playing on the wing in NSW Cup.While Savage continues to be heralded as one of the best juniors coming through the club, Kris' reliability and consistency has held him in good stead throughout the season."I've always put my hand up to do whatever is best for the team and it's found me in a few new positions, but I don't mind that at all," he said."I'm just happy being part of the team each week and playing in the NRL."

Stuart's Savage headache

Sebastian Kris went into the Raiders' clash against the Dragons as a man under the blowtorch.Kris knew his position in the Raiders' team was in jeopardy, with the highly-rated Xavier Savage making his return from a broken jaw in NSW Cup in the game immediately beforehand.But Kris gave coach Ricky Stuart a pleasant selection headache with a top-shelf display in the 20-14 defeat of the Dragons.Kris scored a try, ran for 185m and was safe under pressure in defence.The way he played, it will be very hard for Stuart to drop or move him from the key fullback position next week.

Centres turn Raiders season around

The Raiders are right back in the finals hunt with five wins in their last six games - and two of the main reasons for the turnaround are their young centres Sebastian Kris and Matthew Timoko.The pair have given the Raiders real strike power out wide and their second-half tries proved the difference as Canberra outlasted the Roosters 22-16 yesterday.Kris, 23, has scored five tries in his last four games, while Timoko, 22, has crossed in two of the last three matches.They've been like a breath of fresh air for the Raiders in recent weeks - and the Viking clappers are loving it!