NRL 2024, North Queensland Cowboys, Canberra Raiders, Round 24 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 17 Aug 2024, 04:36 PM

Both teams suffered heavy losses last round and will be looking to make amends when the Cowboys host the Raiders in Townsville.

After winning their past three game in a row, North Queensland were handed a 42-18 defeat at the hands of the Queensland derby rivals the Broncos last week, with the visitors showing much more urgency and intent as they fought to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Cowboys are still clinging to their spot in the top eight and have dropped to to seventh, but have a hungry horde to teams chasing behind them and will not want to give up another game.

One of those teams is the Raiders who are slipping further away from posting back-to-back finals appearances and last week were outclassed by the Sea Eagles, going down 46-24.

The Cowboys have been hit by injury in recent weeks and are set to be without second rower Jeremiah Nanai for this clash after he was ruled out at half-time of the Broncos game after a HIA.

The Raiders too have their own concerns with winger Jordan Rapana leaving the field in the 25th minute after a head knock and was later ruled out for the remainder of the contest. However, young gun Chevy Stewart is due for a return and could help out in the backline.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Cowboys v Raiders

Team News

Cowboys: Veteran halfback Chad Townsend has been dropped to the reserves list, replaced in the No.7 by Jake Clifford, whose last appearance in the top grade was in Round 17 when he played five-eighth in the win over Penrith. Jeremiah Nanai will miss the game after suffering a head knock against the Broncos so Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will start the game and Thiomas Mikaele joins the bench. No changes when the side was finalised 60 minutes before kick-off, with Tom Chester the 18th man.

Raiders: Ata Mariota will start in the front-row in a swap with Josh Papali'i, who moves back to the bench for his 301st NRL match. The loss of Jordan Rapana (head knock) means a backline reshuffle is required with Seb Kris going to the wing, Ethan Strange to centre and Adam Cook coming in at five-eighth. Danny Levi and Emre Guler have been added to the bench. Albert Hopoate is 18th man.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Saturday 17 Aug

Full Time

Cowboys

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Sebastian Kris
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Ethan Strange
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Adam Cook
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre

Prop for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison Edwards

Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny Levi
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jaxon Purdue

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Simi Sasagi