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Cowboys v Raiders: Clifford in for Chad; Rapana ruled out

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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.

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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.

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

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Tom Chester
    Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Cowboys have won their last five games against the Raiders.
  • Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored three tries in his past four games.
  • Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored five tries in his past three games.
  • The Raiders have won only two of their past eight away games.
  • Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden will play his 100th NRL game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.