The North Queensland Cowboys are looking for an 11th straight NRL win when they play the Canberra Raiders. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3pm (AEST).
Canberra are stuck in the middle of the ladder, with this strange season putting them in seventh position despite a 6-7 record.
One of the more exciting teams to watch this season, they’ve mixed good wins (Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Tigers, Knights) with bad losses (Dragons twice, Roosters, Broncos).
A win in this one would stabilise their season, and they’ve got the Cowboys at the perfect time as well, as one would expect them to rest a number of their Origin stars.
One could argue the Cowboys are the luckiest team in the NRL right now. With last-ditch wins over the Storm, Warriors and Sea Eagles, and an epic comeback against the Eels a fortnight ago, North Queensland could (and most probably should) be 6-7, not 10-3.
The Raiders have named the same 17 that beat the Knights a fortnight ago. Coach Ricky Stuart has a healthy list, and the consistency that this team is providing will help their finals chances.
The Cowboys have one confirmed change, with Ray Thompson making way for Rory Kostajasyn on the bench. However with Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston, Matthew Scott and James Tamou backing up from Origin on Wednesday, expect a couple of late changes.
Prediction
If these two teams come out as named, the Cowboys will be too strong. Thurston and Morgan have been the form halves pairing in the competition, and they should guide the side to a comfortable win. Cowboys by 12.
However, if there are late changes made, the Raiders will certainly have a sniff. They haven’t been a bad side this season, and they’re certainly capable of an upset. Raiders by 4.
bailes
Guest
don't you love in the Highlights package on NRL (Sydney centric) how they go on about Thurston send off ... laughable! and no mention about the massive offside and Blake Austins deliberate penalty give-away at the end of the first half ... this is a professional foul and a send off!!! one-eyed??
bailes
Guest
hey Eagle, no mention of Blake Austin's clear cut, no questions asked professional foul at the dying seconds of the first half, how convenient for you, unless you are here with an agenda it seems ....
bailes
Guest
the Cows are eagles favourite team ...
Bulldog
Guest
So on your theory Blake Austin should have been binned for his professional foul in tackle in first half. The guy who shoulder charged JT late should have also found his way to the bin.
Ian
Guest
No, Reynolds has a bad reputation and so gets binned for nothing. Thurston is the golden child and gets away with anything. Also, something happening in the first half is treated differently to something at the end of the game where the game is still on the line. Total farce! Just referee the game to the rules, ignore the game situation, penalty count, player and team reputations etc.
bailes
Guest
three man tackle
catcat
Roar Rookie
I thought JT should have been marched too. It's just not fair to see a bloke illegally spoil a try at one end then kick the winning goal at the other. I think the raiders would have got that try. I watched the dogs game later and Josh Reynolds was given 10 in the bin for pushing Soward in the back while chasing a ball. So what is the rule ? At the 3pm game it's a penalty at the 7:30pm game it's the bin ??
GTW
Guest
I wish the referees had looked at the betting and given the rub of the green to the favourites. The Raiders definitely got the benefit of some decisions in their Knights game, why can't the refs be even handed in every game? There is no way the refs listen to Croker the same way they do to the likes of Cam Smith or JT, they should leave the adoration of these future Immortals to the fans. Because of their skill, these guys have enough going for them, they shouldn't be influencing the referees to the extent that they do.
bailes
Guest
just goes to show, it takes a lot to win a game being from the deep north, just read the crap we have to play against, with the refs whistle, we say hello to you all, let us introduce ourselves ....
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Yep , every game every week the defending side on their own line are ALWAYS offside ...Fine, the Ref might not see everything but hello Touchies , I do believe advising the Ref of blatant offside is within your remit .
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Geoff my thoughts exactly , any other player would have been marched but not golden boy. The shot on Wighton alone was enough for a sit down but add the disgraceful effort on Rapana and I was at a loss how he stayed on the feild. Klein had a shocker and can someone please tell him there is no quick tap for a 10 meter offside penalty.
Grand Armee
Guest
You blokes all sounds like Ricky Stuart.
Grand Armee
Guest
My Cowboys weren't favourites for this game: not with the bookies or anybody on the footy show. The Cowboys don't have the best record in Canberra (traveling in general), Morgan was out and the BIG 3 were backing up from origin. The Raiders also know how to score points (being the best attacking team in the comp this season). Ill take the 2... nobody expected us to win. Not even me. What does it say when my Cowboys are being criticised for only just winning, but the Raiders are being talked up for being so brave and competitive. Hopefully that means we can get better, and that our standards (internally and externally) are much higher.
Justthetip
Guest
Still waiting on a sign of intelligent life from you ej
Bulldog
Guest
As opposed to getting shoulder charged late?
V.O.R.
Guest
Yep I agree 80 minutes was up before the ball had been passed...but it was in the hands of the dummy half...play on. Ok..Thurston is a grub too, along with Cam Smith and Billy Slater...all grubs....boo hoo.
Irritated By Stupidity
Guest
It was stay in Queenbeyan Hotels.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Not from where I was sitting - 80 minutes was up before the ball was passed. Cowboys are having a charmed life at the moment. And Thurston is a grub.
V.O.R.
Guest
Shot clock on TV had it in the dummy half's hand with a second to go
V.O.R.
Guest
Hey e.J...I'm interested what goes through a refs head when he see's half a team standing in front of him and doesn't act on it. Re: Thurston foul... I would like to see it again..I know the commentators thought it was clear cut but on one angle it looked like he was just holding his ground and the jumper had momentum towards Thurston which made it look worse.. Regardless, I agree the boys in the middle have let this go and if it was a professional foul Thurston should of been sat down. 5 minute sin bin shouldn't be far away.