NRL Team List: Raiders v Cowboys

Author: Raiders.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 1 Sep 2026, 03:55 PM

The Toyota Forklifts Canberra Raiders have named their team for Saturday evening's match against the North Queensland Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Club legend Josh Papalii will play his final match for the club in what will be his 342nd and final appearance for the Green Machine.

Coby Black (halfback) and Malachi Smith (bench) have been named to make their NRL debuts this weekend, while Vena Patuki-Case will make his second appearance for the season after his debut earlier in the year.

Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart said the opportunity has been presented to give some players a chance at NRL level to begin preparations for next year.

“Coby, Malachi and Vena get a chance this week. We don’t want to waste a game regarding our preparation for next season, and all three deserve the chance to see what they can show at NRL level.”

“It will be a special occasion for Coby and Malachi to make their debuts for the club, and Vena will benefit from another opportunity at NRL level.”

“I appreciate Daine, Ethan (Sanders) and Tommy understanding that I am looking at the bigger picture in giving some younger players the opportunity to experience the intensity and physicality of the NRL. All three boys have been tremendous for us all season and will continue to be big parts of this squad moving forward.”

Corey Horsburgh will not make the trip north after undergoing shoulder surgery today, while Savelio Tamale (knee) and Zac Hosking (hamstring) are not named in the squad due to injury.

Noah Martin will replace Zac Hosking in the starting side after returning from a quad injury.

Morgan Smithies comes back into the side after missing last week with concussion, in what will be his final match for the club before departing at the end of the season.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Saturday 5 Sep

7:30 am

Cowboys

Raiders

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns

Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jed Stuart
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue

Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester

Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Robert Derby

Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford

Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Coby Black

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney

Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Owen Pattie
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo

Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki

2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Noah Martin
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 John Bateman

2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ata Mariota

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Malachi Smith
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyre

Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Joe Roddy
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kaiden Lahrs

Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Vena Patuki-Case
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'Donnell

Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Tom Starling
Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King

Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Daine Laurie

Reserves

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Mason Kira

Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Ethan Sanders
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Ronald Philitoga

Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Mark Tuialii
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Liam Sutton

Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Jesse Milin