NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Cowboys

Author: Lucy Trotman
Timestamp: Thu 22 Feb 2024, 10:56 AM

The Toyota Forklift Raiders are set to square off against the North Queensland Cowboys in round two of the Pre-Season Challenge at Seiffert Oval Queanbeyan, after an energetic win against the Eels last weekend.

The Raiders are buzzing with excitement as they head into round two of the Pre-Season Challenge where they will take on the Cowboys this Sunday.

Fresh off their victory against the Parramatta Eels last week, the Raiders will be looking to build on this early success. Their 38-16 win at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney left fans excited for what’s to come.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 17 Feb

Full Time

Eels

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Blaize Talagi

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Chevy Stewart
Winger for Eels is number 2 Haze Dunster

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
Centre for Eels is number 3 Morgan Harper

Centre for Raiders is number 3 James Schiller
Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn Asi

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Kaeo Weekes
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Ethan Sanders

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Strange

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Ky Rodwell

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Emre Guler
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
Prop for Eels is number 10 Ofahiki Ogden

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Pasami Saulo
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Mitchell Spencer
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Simi Sasagi
Lock for Eels is number 13 Ryan Matterson

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ata Mariota

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Wiremu Greig

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Prinston Esera
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Utuloa Asomua
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Jed Stuart

Reserves

Reserve for Eels is number 18 Matthew Arthur

Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Danny Levi
Reserve for Eels is number 19 Toni Mataele

Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Adam Cook
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Joshua Lynn

Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Peter Hola
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Charlie Guymer

Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Mitch Henderson
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Dan Keir

Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Peter Taateo
Reserve for Eels is number 23 Saxon Pryke

Reserve for Raiders is number 23 Noah Martin
Reserve for Eels is number 24 Zac Cini

Reserve for Raiders is number 24 Loghan Lewis
Reserve for Eels is number 25 Isaac Lumelume

Reserve for Raiders is number 25 Vena Patuki-Case
Reserve for Eels is number 26 Ethyn Martin

Match Officials

Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 2/17/2024 1:10:22 PM

Meanwhile, the Cowboys find themselves on the rebound after suffering a 46-20 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos at BB Print Stadium, Mackay. After a challenging week one, the Cowboys are undoubtedly hungry to redeem themselves on the field.

Expect Seiffert Oval to be electric as these two powerhouse teams lock into what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Seiffert Oval has a proud place in Raiders history, as it served as the club’s inaugural home ground from 1982 to 1989 before the team relocated their home matches to GIO Stadium.

The Green Machine will have a big opportunity to take out the 2024 Pre-Season Challenge, sitting tied first on the ladder with the Knights and Dolphins, heading into the final week.

Last time they met

The Cowboys just scraped past the Raiders in round one of last season, with a final score of 19-18 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Key Match-ups

Elliott Whitehead v Jeremiah Nanai

All eyes will be on Canberra Raiders' Elliott Whitehead as he steps onto the field for his first game of the year, also solo captaining the side for the first time after Jarrod Croker’s retirement in 2023. Across from him, North Queensland Cowboys' Jeremiah Nanai returns for his first game of the year as well.

Nanai's impressive 2023 performances included a standout game in round two where he scored two tries against the Broncos and later represented Queensland. Although his season was cut short after he suffered a high-grade AC joint injury.

Whitehead brings a wealth of experience and leadership, with an extensive career both in the NRL for Canberra Raiders and at an international level playing for England and Great Britain.

With both players eager to make an impact, either backrower will look to begin their season with a solid performance heading into round one of the season.

Matthew Timoko v Valentine Holmes

The spotlight falls on the matchup between centre's Matthew Timoko and Valentine Holmes.

After making his NRL debut in round 16 of the 2020 NRL season, Timoko has established himself as one of the premier centres in the league.

In the 2023 season, Timoko scored 11 tries in 25 matches with an average of five tackle busts per game. His consistent performances earned him a spot in the New Zealand Kiwis side for the 2023 Pacific Championships.

Valentine Holmes had another consistent season in 2023, representing the Cowboys as well as Queensland in the 2023 State of Origin series. Despite the Cowboy’s 11th place finish, Holmes emerged as the club's top point scorer with 170 points.

As these two centres collide, fans can expect an electrifying display of skill, speed, and strike on the edge.