North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders highlights: NRL live scores, blog

Roar Guru

4th March, 2017

8006 Reads

Kick-off: 7pm (AEDT)
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Online: Live, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Cowboys $1.42, Raiders $3
Last meeting: Raiders 26-12 Cowboys
Head-to-Head: Cowboys 16, Raiders 17
Referees: Ben Cummins, Chris Sutton

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathon Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Ben Hampton 15. John Asiata 16. Coen Hess 17. Patrick Kauyusi 18. Sam Hoare 19. Gideon Mosby-Gela 20. Javid Bowen 21. Kalyn Ponga

Canberra Raiders
1. Jack Wighton 2. Nick Cotric 3. Elliot Whitehead 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Clay Priest 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Josh Papalii 12. Iosia Soliola 13. Luke Bateman
14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Dunamis Lui 16. Jeff Lima 17. Joseph Tapine 18. Scott Sorenson 19. Zac Santo 20. Makahesi Makatoa 21. Lachlan Croker

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The Cowboys will have to do it without Thurston in 2017. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Isaac Nowroozi

Roar Guru

4th March, 2017

120

8006 Reads

Match result:

The Cowboys have notched a golden-point win over the Canberra Raiders to kick off their 2017 NRL season.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
North Queensland Cowboys 20
Canberra Raiders 14

Match preview:

The North Queensland Cowboys will be looking to get their 2017 premiership off to a winning start when they host a weakened Canberra Raiders side. Join The Roar from 7pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.

The Cowboys are set to put out their best team against the Raiders, however Antonio Winterstein could sit it out, the winger under an injury cloud.

However, the injury problems of North Queensland seem minuscule compared to those of Canberra, without captain Jarrod Croker, who dislocated his left knee against the Indigenous All Stars, while Kurt Baptiste and Kato Ottio are also sidelined with Achilles and ACL injuries respectively.

Canberra will sorely miss Croker’s leadership, defensive presence and goal-kicking skills.

Coming up against the likes of Matt Scott, Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Justin O’Neill, who all provide dynamic scoring options in attack, the Raiders’ defensive depth will be tested.

The Green Machine’s best option is to control possession and keep North Queensland on the back foot. Allowing the momentum to go in the Cowboys’ favour could result in their weakened defence being run over, particularly with Johnathan Thurston looking to play off the back of Jason Taumalolo and exploit Canberra’s defence.

The Raiders have lost their past eight games in Townsville, prompting coach Ricky Stuart to bring his side to Queensland early to prepare in the tropical conditions.

Prediction
Canberra are the weaker side, and with the Cowboys playing at home, with a full-strength squad, and a great record against Canberra in Townsville, it’s hard to see anything other than a home side victory.

Cowboys by 14

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