The Raiders will head up to Queensland for Round 4 to face the North Queensland Cowboys and make it two wins on the trot. Here are five things to look forward to.
Charnze off the mark
New recruit Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is finally off the mark for the 2019 campaign after bagging a double against the Knights last week.
The fullback scored on either side of half-time, including a lethal right foot step which helped him cross over in the second half and was the highlight of the match.
Nicoll-Klokstad managed 21 runs, the most of anyone in the match, and zero errors in his third game for the Raiders, proving to be a very reliable option at fullback for years to come.
Round 3 Moment of the week: Nicoll-Klokstad's second try
Townsville Deja Vu
The Green Machine will be hoping to repeat last year’s victory up in Townsville, where they defeated the Cowboys 18-8 in round eight.
The score was all tied at six-all at half time, however a try each from Aidan Sezer and hooker Siliva Havili helped the Raiders score 12 unanswered points and take home the victory.
With an impressive performance from Sam Williams, and the continuing improvement of the forward pack the Raiders will hope to make it three successive wins against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Stellar Start
The Raiders will be looking to continue their great start to this season, having won two out of three games so far, their best start since the 2005 campaign.
In 2005, the Raiders got off to an unbelievable start after winning their first four matches on the trot against Newcastle, South Sydney, St. George and Sydney respectively, yet failed to keep this form through the entire season and finished 14th.
The Green Machine will be hoping a victory up in North Queensland will help them continue to push for a finals spot, already showing themselves as contenders early on in the season.
Rapa’s 100th NRL Match
Jordan Rapana will line up for his 100th NRL Match this weekend up in Townsville, being it his 95th for the Raiders.
Rapana arrived at the Raiders in 2014 after previously scoring five tries in five games for the Gold Coast Titans in the 2008 campaign.
Since then, the 2017 Dally M winger of the year has gone onto score 62 tries in the lime green jersey, including a whopping 23 tries in 2016, and will be hoping to celebrate this milestone achievement by getting his first on the board for 2019 this weekend.
Queensland Return
The Raiders will be heading back to Queensland for the second time this season already after heading to the Gold Coast in round one.
Canberra will be hoping to make keep their away victory at 100% of the season, after defeating the Titans and keeping them scoreless in their 21-0 at Cbus Stadium early on.
Whilst the Raiders don’t have the strongest record up in the Sunshine State, they’ll be relying on their form and hard work to help drag them over the line against the Cowboys this Saturday night.
