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Cowboys v Raiders: Vailea on track; Tapine in, Smithies out
Although they showed signs of improvement last week, the Cowboys are still looking for their first win of the season and will be aiming to bring down Ricky's Raiders when they come to town on Saturday.
North Queensland fought hard against the Broncos and were arguably the better team for much of the first half but were not able to convert their early dominance into any points.
The lack of finesse in their fifth-tackle options has been one of the major issues for the Cowboys so far this season, with a lack of experience proving critical.
After a high-flying start to their season, Canberra came crashing back to earth last week in their heavy loss to the Sea Eagles, who blew them off the park with a near flawless first-half performance which saw the Raiders down 30-0 at half-time.
While second-half tries to Sebastian Kris and Hudson Young kept the Raiders from being held scoreless, the visitors will be smarting and will aim to start fast against the desperate Cowboys.
Match: Cowboys v Raiders
Round 4 -
home Team
Cowboys
14th Position
away Team
Raiders
12th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. Centre Zac Laybutt will need to wake another week to make his NRL comeback from an ACL injury after dropping out of the squad in Friday's team update. Viliami Vailea has been named to play despite failing to finish last week's game due to an eye injury. Karl Lawton is the 18th man.
Raiders: Trey Mooney starts the game and Josh Papalii goes to the bench in a late switch an hour before kick-off. Captain Joseph Tapine is back on deck after serving a two-match suspension for a shoulder charge so Corey Horsburgh shifts to lock. Englishman Morgan Smithies has entered the NRL's concussion protocols. Winger Xavier Savage will make his 50th NRL appearance.
Match: Cowboys v Raiders
Round 4 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert DerbyWinger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jeremiah NanaiInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin NeameInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Simi Sasagi
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 21 Karl LawtonReplacement for Raiders is number 19 Jed Stuart
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won their last six games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders have won only one from five at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Cowboys have conceded 104 points in their first three games.
- Raiders winger Xavier Savage will make his 50th NRL appearance.
- The Cowboys have won five of their last seven games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
