North Queensland are riding high as they return home to host the Raiders on Saturday night.
The Cowboys claimed a shock win over Cronulla at Sharks Stadium last weekend, displaying plenty of defensive resolve late to hold off their opponents.
That will be the focus again in Round 4 as they look to topple a Canberra side that has shown plenty with ball in hand.
While the Raiders have looked good in attack, their defence has let them down in a winless start to the campaign.
Coach Darrin Borthwick is eager to tighten up the midfield as they look to claim their first victory of the season.
Match: Cowboys v Raiders
Round 4 -
home Team
Cowboys
7th Position
away Team
Raiders
12th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: Fullback Jakiya Whitfeld is set to return after missing last week's win over Cronulla with hamstring tightness, with Krystal Blackwell reverting to the wing and Ana Malupo shifting to the reserves as a result. Tahlulah Tillett retains her place at halfback and will partner Rosie Kelly. Kirra Dibb has been named in the extended squad after she was a late withdrawal last weekend. Coach Ricky Henry has named Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell to start and Essay Banu on the bench but could switch the two as he did in Round 3. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith has been named in the reserves as she looks to return from suspension.
Raiders: The Raiders are welcoming some troops back for Saturday's clash with the Cowboys with Emma Barnes (concussion) and Kerehitina Matua (ankle) both named on the bench. Mackenzie Wiki comes into the side on the wing, in place of Isabella Waterman, while Jordyn Preston is set to start for the first time this year in the back row.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Jakiya WhitfeldFullback for Raiders is number 1 Elise Simpson
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Krystal BlackwellWinger for Raiders is number 2 Madison Bartlett
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail RoacheCentre for Raiders is number 3 Leianne Tufuga
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine PetersCentre for Raiders is number 4 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Francesca GoldthorpWinger for Raiders is number 5 Mackenzie Wiki
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Rosie KellyFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Georgia Thomas
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tahlulah TillettHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Zahara Temara
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Lillian YarrowProp for Raiders is number 8 Chloe Saunders
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma ManzelmannHooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie WealeProp for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Jordyn Preston
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae Dodd
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree ChesterLock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha FoordInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma Barnes
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily PeacockInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Najvada GeorgeInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Lili Boyle
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Essay BanuInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Kerehitina Matua
Reserves
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Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Lily DickReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Tatiana Finau
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Ana MalupoReserve for Raiders is number 19 Jaida Faleono
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kirra DibbReserve for Raiders is number 20 Relna Wuruki-Hosea
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Tiana Raftstrand-SmithReserve for Raiders is number 21 Sereana Naitokatoka
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Tafao AsauaReserve for Raiders is number 22 Isabella Waterman
Cowboys Ins
- Jakiya Whitfeld
- Kirra Dibb
- Tafao Asaua
- Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Raiders Ins
- Emma Barnes
- Jaida Faleono
- Kerehitina Matua
- Mackenzie Wiki
- Relna Wuruki-Hosea
- Sereana Naitokatoka
Cowboys Outs
Raiders Ins
- Amelia Pasikala
- Monalisa Soliola
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won four of their last six games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- Raiders winger Madison Bartlett requires one try to equal Dragons fullback Teagan Berry’s record of 31 tries.
- Cowboys second-rower Tallisha Harden will make her 40th NRLW appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
