Cowboys v Raiders: Derby earns recall; Black set for NRL debut
Although a finals berth has been secured, the Cowboys will be eyeing plenty of improvement when they take on the Raiders in their final game.
Last week, North Queensland did just enough at home to down Wests Tigers, with Canberra no doubt keen to end their season on a high with an upset win to close out their disappointing season.
Cowboys skipper and halfback Tom Dearden marked a successful return from injury in the win and will been keen to build on that performance, with coach Todd Payten looking for improvements across the board.
For Canberra, the side will be looking to farewell some of their stalwarts with a strong performance, with spiritual leader Josh Papalii retiring at the end of the season, while others like Morgan Smithies (Perth Bears) are heading to other clubs.
Match: Cowboys v Raiders
Round 27 -
home Team
Cowboys
8th Position
away Team
Raiders
12th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: Robert Derby comes in on the wing for Zac Laybutt (concussion) while John Bateman and Coen Hess move into the starting pack. Jeremiah Nanai is out after suffering a knee injury against Wests Tigers and Griffin Neame (toe) is also sidelined. Sam McIntyre and Kaiden Lahrs have been added to the interchange.
Raiders: Coby Black has been named to make his NRL debut at halfback with Ethan Sanders being rested. Back-rower Noah Martin returns from a quad injury and fills the void left by Zac Hosking (hamstring). Prop Corey Horsburgh will not make the trip north after undergoing shoulder surgery but Morgan Smithies will return from concussion. Hooker Malachi Smith has been named to make his debut off the bench alongside prop Vena Patuki-Case in his second career game after debuting in Round 15.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon BurnsWinger for Raiders is number 2 Jed Stuart
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom ChesterCentre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Robert DerbyWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Coby Black
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen HessProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Raiders is number 9 Owen Pattie
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Noah Martin
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 John Bateman2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Raiders is number 13 Ata Mariota
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni LukeInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Malachi Smith
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Joe Roddy
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kaiden LahrsInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Vena Patuki-Case
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'DonnellInterchange for Raiders is number 18 Tom Starling
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan KingInterchange for Raiders is number 19 Daine Laurie
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Mason KiraReserve for Raiders is number 20 Ethan Sanders
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Ronald PhilitogaReserve for Raiders is number 21 Mark Tuialii
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Liam SuttonReserve for Raiders is number 22 Jesse Milin
Cowboys Ins
- Kaiden Lahrs
- Liam Sutton
- Mason Kira
- Robert Derby
- Ronald Philitoga
- Sam McIntyre
Raiders Ins
- Coby Black
- Jesse Milin
- Malachi Smith
- Mark Tuialii
- Morgan Smithies
- Noah Martin
Cowboys Outs
- Griffin Neame
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Zac Laybutt
Raiders Ins
- Corey Horsburgh
- Savelio Tamale
- Zac Hosking
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won seven of their last eight games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders have not defeated the Cowboys twice in a season since 2018.
- Cowboys centre Tom Chester has scored four tries in his last five games.
- Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes has scored five tries in his last six games.
- Cowboys utility Jaxon Purdue has scored a try in his last three games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
