Raiders v Cowboys: Preston suspended; Roache, Raftstrand-Smith return
Canberra will be eager to rebound after their 22-10 loss to Cronulla. While the result was disappointing, the Raiders remained in the contest for long periods and showed enough resilience to suggest they remain firmly in the hunt for a finals berth.
The Cowboys also enter Round 5 searching for answers following a 34-6 defeat to the Gold Coast Titans. North Queensland have yet to find winning form this season, but Magic Round is a fresh opportunity to reset their campaign.
The Raiders have been at their best when they control possession and build pressure through their forward pack. Despite last week's loss, there were periods where Canberra challenged Cronulla's defence and looked capable of turning the match.
North Queensland's priority will be improving with the ball. Against the Titans they struggled to match Gold Coast's momentum and were unable to consistently apply pressure in attacking territory.
With both teams looking to bounce back from losses, determination will be in abundance.
Match: Raiders v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
7th Position
away Team
Cowboys
11th Position
Venue: Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga
Team News
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-18 from the squad named on Tuesday, with Hollie Mae-Dodd to start in the back row after making a successful return from concussion last week. The English international will replace the suspended Jordyn Preston. Isabella Waterman is set to replace Bobbi Law in the centres. Winger Elise Simpson has scored eight tries in her last nine NRLW games.
Cowboys: Ashley Marsters comes into the starting line-up in a swap with Lily Dick in the only game day change for the Cowboys. Abigail Roache takes her place in the centres after falling short of an early comeback from a knee injury last week. The Kiwi Fern's return has triggered a reshuffle, with Fran Goldthorpe shifting to fullback and Margot Vella moving to wing. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith makes her return from a hamstring injury and will come off the bench in her first game of the season. Kayla Jackson remains as the replacement player.
Match: Raiders v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sheridan GallagherFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Elise SimpsonWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Leianne TufugaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Isabella WatermanCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Mackenzie WikiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot Vella
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Krystal BlackwellFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tallara Bamblett
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Zahara TemaraHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Chloe SaundersProp for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté TemaraHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie HolymanProp for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hollie-Mae Dodd2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Charlotte Basham2nd Row for Cowboys is number 16 Ashley Marsters
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma BarnesInterchange for Cowboys is number 12 Lily Dick
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace KempInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Sereana NaitokatokaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tayla Curtis
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Lili BoyleReplacement for Cowboys is number 21 Kayla Jackson
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Raiders winger Elise Simpson has scored eight tries in her last nine NRLW games
- The Cowboys have won their last two games against the Raiders
- Raiders winger Mackenzie Wiki has scored four tries in four games this season
- Cowboys centre Jasmine Peters has scored three tries in her last two games against the Raiders
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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