The Toyota Forklifts Canberra Raiders travel to Townsville this weekend for an important contest against the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday afternoon.
The Raiders enter the round off a disappointing defeat at home against the Manly Sea Eagles and will be aiming to bounce back to claim a critical two competition points.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys also tasted defeat in Round 23, going down 42-18 against their arch rivals the Brisbane Broncos.
The two competition points on offer will be crucial for both sides, as the Raiders currently sit in eleventh position whilst the Cowboys sit in seventh with four rounds remaining.
Match: Cowboys v Raiders
Round 24 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Raiders is number 2 Sebastian Kris
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Raiders is number 4 Ethan Strange
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Adam Cook
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyreProp for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny Levi
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jaxon PurdueInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Simi Sasagi
Reserves
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Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Tom ChesterReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Talking Points
- Jordan Rapana will miss the Cowboys clash after suffering a concussion in last week's defeat, forcing a backline reshuffle which sees Ethan Strange named at centre and Adam Cook at five eighth.
- Danny Levi and Emre Guler return to the Raiders outfit this weekend with both being named on the interchange bench.
- For the Cowboys, Jake Clifford has been named to return to the NRL in the halfback position.
- Cowboys Origin representative Jeremiah Nanai will miss the contest due to concussion protocols.
- North Queensland have claimed victory in their last five games against the Raiders.
- Canberra Raiders flyer Xavier Savage has crossed for three tries in his last four games, with his potential to break the game open key for the visitors.
- Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden is set to play his 100th NRL game on Saturday evening.
We're expecting a tough game but for us it's about putting that 80 minute performance together.
Morgan Smithies #394
Last Time They Met
The two sides met earlier this year, with the North Queensland Cowboys defeating the Canberra Raiders 34-16 at GIO Stadium Canberra.
Key Match-Up
Ethan Strange v Valentine Holmes
The battle between the veteran outside back and young gun will be an intriguing one which fans will be watching with fainted breath to see who will break the game open for their team.
In his debut season, Ethan Strange has been a key playmaker for the Raiders. He has appeared in 19 games at five eighth and this weekend will line up in the centre position for the first time since his debut last year.
The damaging ball runner averages 79 running metres and has scored two tries, whilst setting up his teammates with eight try and eight line break assists.
Cowboys veteran Valentine Holmes has been a reliable member for Todd Payten once again this season appearing in 19 games, whilst also representing his state in this year’s Origin series.
Holmes has been a try scorer for the Cowboys on nine occasions so far this season and has set up an additional eight tries.
He is also a key feature in the side’s yardage game, carrying the ball for an average of 156 metres.
This battle between the two outside backs will be intriguing for fans to watch, with both players having the ability to produce an individual performance which could see their side walk away with the two competition points.
Head to Head
This will be the 45th matchup between the two sides, the Cowboys holding 24 victories compared to 21 for the Raiders.
