Raiders v Cowboys preview

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Top four beckons as Raiders host depleted Cowboys

Recording a memorable victory over the luckless Newcastle Knights in golden point last Sunday, the Raiders close out Round 18 with a clash against the reigning premiers. Having come from 22-0 down against the Knights, coach Ricky Stuart will have his side prepared for an early onslaught as the Raiders look to take advantage of the Origin affected Cowboys. With Josh Papalii and Luke Bateman out through injury and suspension respectively, Iosia Soliola and Clay Priest return to the first grade squad, while Kurt Baptiste will play after accepting an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw on Nathan Ross. Currently in sixth position, a win could see Canberra move into the top four should results fall their way over the weekend, while a loss would see the Raiders fall back into the logjam of sides vying for finals positions.

Coming off the back of a solid performance against South Sydney, the Cowboys will head to Canberra minus six of their representative stars. As a result coach Paul Green will field a new-look centre pairing of Javid Bowen and Tautau Moga, playing his first game since last season's Pacific Test, while Coen Hess earns his first starting appearance in place of Queensland debutant Gavin Cooper. Among the other changes, Ben Spina will play his first game of 2016, while hooker Josh Chudleigh will make his NRL debut off the bench. With the Cowboys coming away with eight wins from the past ten clashes against the Raiders, first time captain Rory Kostjasyn will be looking to ensure the visitors keep in touch with the likes of Melbourne and Cronulla atop the premiership ladder.

Last meeting: Round 21 2015 - Cowboys 32 Raiders 24

Who to watch: Playing a leading role in the extra-time win over Newcastle last Sunday, Canberra five-eighth Blake Austin will be hoping for a similar effort against the depleted Cowboys. Crossing for a crucial try just before halftime and slotting a pivotal field-goal in the 29-25 win, Austin has stepped up in recent weeks after enduring an injury-interrupted season. With the Raiders in similar position last year, the former Tigers and Panthers utility will be looking to use the experience he has gained during his time in the ACT to take the Green Machine back to the finals for the first time since 2012.

With the North Queensland side decimated by Origin, much of the forward responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Jason Taumalolo. Renown for his colossal ability with and without the ball, the New Zealand international will be out to make a statement in the absence of the likes of Scott, Tamou and Cooper. Having torn through the Sea Eagles with the game on the line a fortnight ago, Taumalolo has proven himself capable of coming up with big plays, but without the direction of Johnathan Thurston the hulking lock will need to be at his best.

The favourite: With the Cowboys missing six representative players through Origin and injury, the Raiders are fancied to topple the reigning premiers.

My tip: Having been blown away early last week, look for Canberra to start strongly against the second-string Cowboys. Raiders by 10.

1. Jack Wighton 18. Edrick Lee 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Blake Austin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Junior Paulo 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Shannon Boyd 11. Iosia Soliola 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Clay Priest 16. Paul Vaughan 17. Joseph Tapine

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tautau Moga 18. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Rory Kostjasyn 7. Ray Thompson 15. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Coen Hess 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Josh Chudleigh 8. Ben Hannant 16. Ben Spina 17. Patrick Kaufusi

Referees: Grant Atkins, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner, Chris Butler; Video Referees: Ashley Klein, Ben Galea, Steve Chiddy