NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Cowboys

The Raiders got off to a strong start last weekend against the Sea Eagles, keeping them scoreless until the 22nd minute and giving us glimpses of the energy that kicked off their season in Las Vegas.

But a 21st minute sin bin for Corey Horsburgh left Canberra’s forward pack vulnerable, forced to make over 230 tackles in the first half and starved of the football.

The return of Joe Tapine at prop shifts Horsburgh to lock, slotting behind Hudson Young and Matty Nicholson who make up one of the strongest backrows in the comp.  

With a strong track record against Canberra and an important home advantage in sweltering North Queensland, can the Raiders keep their cool in the heat or will the Cowboys do anything to avoid a 0-4 start to the season?

Talking Points

• Raiders captain Joe Tapine returns from suspension this week and will look to steer the forward pack in the front row.
• After his excellent debut in round two, edge forward Matty Nicholson secures his spot in the starting lineup again.
• Raiders backrower Morgan Smithies will miss this weekend’s clash due to a concussion. He is set to return in round five against the Sharks.
• Raiders Winger Xavier Savage celebrates his 50th NRL appearance this weekend.
• The Cowboys have conceded 104 points in their first three games this season.

Last time they met

Last time these two teams met, the Cowboys took out a 42-4 win over the Raiders in Townsville in round 25, 2024.

Key Match-Up

Corey Horsburgh vs Reuben Cotter

After his 2024 season was disrupted due to injury and suspension; ‘Big Red’ is back on deck.

With 132 running metres against the Broncos, Corey Horsburgh has been unstoppable at prop, and with Tapine back, he’ll shift out to the lock position to provide even more punch through the middle.

Averaging 50 post contact metres this season, his ability to target defensive liabilities in the Cowboy’s forward pack will make him crucial to this weekend’s clash. Isolating players like John Bateman and Jason Taumalolo who have only managed tackle efficiencies of 88% and 86% this season respectively will be key to the Raiders’ attack in Townsville.

Further, defensive consistency and discipline in the forward pack will be essential to the Raiders’ success this weekend in order to tighten up the 11 errors and 10 penalties conceded against the Sea Eagles. Horsburgh should aim to maintain his impressive tackle efficiency rate of 92% to take some pressure of the Raiders’ backline and keep Canberra off the backfoot.

The Raiders will need to strike first and strike fast this weekend to prevent the Cowboys from gaining steam in front of a riled-up home crowd and with the leadership of Tapine, Big Red should put on a clinic in the forward pack to keep the Cowboys winless.

On the other side, Reuben Cotter maintains a similar level of defensive prowess, boasting a tackle efficiency rate of 93%. 2025 marks the second rower’s seventh season for the Cowboys and the co-captain will naturally be looking to steer his side away from a 0-4 start to the season at home.

After significant losses to the squad this season in Valentine Holmes, Kyle Feldt and Chad Townsend, the North Queensland veteran needs to take command of the Cowboys’ forward pack to keep the pressure of a younger, less experienced backline.

Despite the Cowboys’ struggles this season, Cotter continues to put in strong individual performances with 97 metres run against the Broncos and 41 tackles to boot.

If the Cowboys are to turn their season around, Cotter’s leadership and consistency will be critical.

Head-to-Head

Since 1998, the Raiders have played the Cowboys 46 times, winning 21 of them for a 46% efficiency rate.