Cowboys v Raiders: Hess to start; Kris takes over at fullback
The Cowboys' NRL stocks surged last year under Dally M coach of the year Todd Payten and the North Queenslanders will be looking to pick up where they left off when they host Canberra.
Both sides were part of the finals action in 2022 but came up short of the ultimate prize with the grind of a long season taking its toll on Ricky Stuart's Raiders particularly, who dealt with a number of injuries throughout the year.
The Cowboys have lost Tom Gilbert to the Dolphins and are also without Heilum Luki (knee) and Luciano Leilua (stood down) but they still boast a strong pack which includes rep stars Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.
Meanwhile, Canberra have lost fullback Xavier Savage to a broken jaw but Ricky Stuart is spoilt for choice with utility backs capable of filling the No.1 jersey with centre Seb Kris likely to fill the position.
The Raiders lost 34-18 to the Bulldogs and 36-4 to the Wests Tigers in their pre-season matches, while the Cowboys had a 22-22 draw with the Dolphins before falling short to the Broncos 20-18.
The long haul to Townsville is one of the toughest road trips to the NRL, as the Raiders were reminded in a 26-6 loss at QCB Stadium in round 2 last year.
Match: Cowboys v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Cowboys
8th Position
away Team
Raiders
10th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. James Tamou plays his first game for the Cowboys since 2016 when he lines up on the interchange on Saturday. Forward Coen Hess is set to fill the vacant left second-row spot after two years playing almost exclusively as a middle forward. Hess could potentially play 80 minutes given the lack of another edge forward on the Cowboys bench. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown has overcome a rib injury sustained in the NRL All Stars game earlier this month to take his spot on the bench.
Raiders: The Raiders 1-17 remains the same with no late changes. Seb Kris has been given the job at fullback to replace Xavier Savage (broken jaw) with Jordan Rapana on the wing. Harley Smith-Shields returns to the NRL for the first time since 2021 in the centres. Prop Josh Papali'i is out with a slight calf strain and his place is taken by Pasami Saulo in his first game for the club. After starting at No.9 during the Pre-Season Challenge, Huddersfield recruit Danny Levi makes his Green Machine debut at hooker. Tom Starling fills the impact hooker position on the bench.
Match: Cowboys v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Raiders is number 4 Harley Smith-Shields
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Raiders is number 8 Pasami Saulo
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Reuben CotterProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Coen Hess2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Harawira-Naera
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin NeameInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 James TamouInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Emre Guler
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Brendan ElliotReplacement for Raiders is number 19 Matt Frawley
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won four of their past five games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders have won their past four Round 1 games.
- Cowboys centre Peta Hiku has scored 11 tries in 15 games against the Raiders.
- Jordan Rapana has scored seven tries in his past five games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored 10 tries in 13 games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Cowboys (803) and Raiders (802) were 8th and 9th on the missed tackle list in 2022 so whoever emerges from pre-season with the most improved tackle efficiency is in the box seat here.
