NRL: Raider's Origin debut in peril

Canberra forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs could have destroyed his State of Origin career before it even begins.

The Raiders enforcer was instrumental in leading his team to a 34-28 victory over the Gold Coast in their NRL showdown in Canberra yesterday.

He seemed certain to have done enough to convince New South Wales Origin selectors to include him as a debutant when they announce the Blues team tonight.

But just as they would have been pencilling him in, Learoyd-Lahrs put his place in jeopardy when he was placed on report for a high elbow on Titans secondrower Anthony Laffranchi.

Learoyd-Lahrs, who crossed for a try of his own just before halftime to give his team a 28-6 lead into the break, was reported in the 53rd minute of the match.

"He made contact with the Gold Coast player I believe around the head area," referee Chris James reported to partner Gavin Badger, who put the prop on report.

Learoyd-Lahrs was not the only Raiders player who would have caught the eyes of New South Wales Origin selectors.

His teammates Alan Tongue and Joel Monaghan did their best to ensure they wear blue jerseys in Origin III.

Incumbent Blues centre Monaghan proved his worth early in the game when he intercepted the ball which led to Raiders winger Phil Graham opening the scoring in the sixth minute.

In a thrill-a-minute game, Canberra never let the Gold Coast overtake despite losing winger Justin Carney with a broken leg early in the firsthalf.

The Titans ensured the game went to the wire with two second-half tries to David Mead and a try apiece to winger Chris Walker and five-eighth Preston Campbell to make it 34-28 to Canberra with six minutes to go.

The Gold Coast looked on their way to scoring a potential match-equalising try with seconds to go when Monaghan tackled Campbell to ensure that the Raiders held on for victory.

- AAP