The North Queensland Cowboys will try to make it three wins in a row when they visit the Canberra Raiders this afternoon in the nation’s capital. Join us for live scores and updates from 2.00pm AEST
The Cowboys have the momentum but the Raiders have yet to lose a game this season at home, and will be difficult to handle for the Queenslanders.
Coming into NRL round 17, the Raiders are in 11th spot on the ladder, with two wins over the Cowboys in 13th.
In recent history both sides have had similar records, with both winning two from the last five matches, however the Cowboys have won their last two while the Raiders last victory was a distant three weeks ago.
The previous matchup between these two was in Round 7, and the Cowboys managed to score three tries in the first half, with the lone bright spot for the Raiders an Edrick Lee interception that turned into six points.
The second half featured more of the same – three more Cowboy tries followed by a late consolation try for the Raiders, with a final score of 30-12.
The Raiders have been hamstrung with problems with outside backs for this game – Origin player Blake Ferguson is currently suspended following a drunken incident two weeks ago, and both Sandor Earl and Edrick Lee are unavailable with arm issues.
The team will start Jack Wighton (with fingers crossed he’s match-fit) and Sami Sauiluma outside, despite picking up Bill Tupou this week.
The Cowboys have some of their own woes, with incumbent fullback Matt Bowen not fit to play (a poor sign for Bowen, who is running out of time to earn himself a contract extension for next year) and Ashton Sims on suspension for dangerous conduct last week.
Speaking of last week, the Cowboys faced up against a depleted Sharks side that did well to keep the score even at halftime.
The Cowboys were able to open up the game in the second half through some Thurston brilliance and romped home to a comfortable 24-4 win.
The Raiders had a very different story last week, going up against the table-topping Rabbitohs, and were actually able to put the first points on the board thanks to Croker’s boot.
So ended the Raiders’ entries on the score sheet, as the Rabbitohs then scored six unanswered tries to win a blowout 32-2.
Given the Raiders injury troubles, their superb home record will be under threat against the Cowboys outfit which feature dominate forwards in James Tamou and Matthew Scott (both averaging over 130 metres a game) and a statistical advantage in defence (have given up nearly four points less per game over the season).
Join us on The Roar from kickoff at 2.00pm AEST for live scores and commentary.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Some pretty woeful one-on-one tackles to concede tries.
Edward Kelly
Guest
Seems you can run behind your own players. Has the rule changed again!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Canberra Raiders 26 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys The Raiders hold their perfect home record intact against a form side. The effort from the ring-in Milford was a top effort, he's certainly thrown his name into the ring for a regular start. For the Cowboys, you'd have to credit Tate who never gave up and was able to get heavily involved in two tries. Raiders will have a bye next round, but the Cowboys have an eight-day break before a game against the Sea Eagles. Thanks for following us on the Roar!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Canberra Raiders 26 – 18 North Queensland Cowboys The scoreboard shows a game closer than it really was, and it was a convincing victory by the Raiders. The Cowboys will be saddened by their first half effort, as they were able to put together a good second half comeback attempt but their lack of energy in the first let them down.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
80' Canberra Raiders 26 – 18 North Queensland Cowboys Thurston's SUCCESSFUL! They'll have about thirty seconds to get eight points.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
79' Canberra Raiders 26 – 16 North Queensland Cowboys Here's a late try for the Cowboys to Winterstein! Just a consolation, as Sims was able to bust pass some tackles and then offload wide quickly for a simple try.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
78' Canberra Raiders 26 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys 73 metres gained on the set for the raiders. Campese finds Croker with the kick in goal but he couldn't bring it to ground.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
77' Canberra Raiders 26 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys Cowboys go for the short kickoff, but they are unable to regather.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
76' Canberra Raiders 26 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys Milford got outside Lui, and then nobody could catch him! Sensational game from Milford, and his first home try! Croker to convert, SUCCESSFUL!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
75' Canberra Raiders 24 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys Cowboys seem to be throwing this game away. Now MILFORD is through for a TRY! One step and away!!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
74' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys Loss of 25 metres after a horrible pass from the Cowboys, and now Kostajysn knocks on after he couldn't hold onto a low Tate pass.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
73' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys A bomb from Campese is taken by Croker but his offload fell to the Cowboys. Good waste of time that set though.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
72' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys Cowboys now on the attack again, and they're past halfway by the third tackle. Knock-on by Thurston! A rare handling error by the number 6.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
70' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys But it's a knock-on by the Cowboys! On the first, no less! Raiders got out of a sticky spot there. Chip from Campese regathered by McCrone but he stepped on the line before getting into the in goal.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
69' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys Not long to go, but the Cowboys are well back in this game! Penalty against the Raiders now, that'll refresh the set once more.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
68' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys The game is getting very scrappy now, but at least some points are being scored! Thurston's pass is played at and knocked-on by the Raiders! An extra set down the danger end!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
67' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys And Tate tries a quick pass outside which looks like it got touched, but the ref's missed it! Raiders get the ball. Nope, forward pass by the Raiders on the next play. Justice is done.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
66' Canberra Raiders 20 – 12 North Queensland Cowboys Another broken play try for away side, Tate managed to step inside and work a pass to Lui, who busted past Milford for a try. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
65' Canberra Raiders 20 – 10 North Queensland Cowboys Tate gets a great pass await to Lui for a TRY! Game back on!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
64' Canberra Raiders 20 – 6 North Queensland Cowboys Thurston tries a small chip but its gathered by Milford, who steps off on a mazy run but ends with his own knock on. End result: Cowboys ball in a good spot.