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Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys Tips & Preview - Green Machine to struggle again in NRL

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: 28 Mar 2025

Andrew Hendrie 28 Mar 2025

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 4 game
Cowboys have won the last six meetings against the Raiders
Jaxon Purdue is a potential key player for the Cowboys' victory

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders Preview

The Cowboys have also conquered the Raiders in their last six meetings. I'm backing their attack to click in the hot and humid conditions with Jaxon Purdue to get among the tries.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders Preview
Head To Head
North Queensland Cowboys Form
North Queensland Cowboys Team News
North Queensland Cowboys Team List
Canberra Raiders Form
Canberra Raiders Team News
Canberra Raiders Team List

Cowboys have won the last six meetings between the teams
Cowboys have won five of their last seven games in Townsville
Raiders have lost eight of their last 12 away games
Cowboys have scored 23+ points in four of their last six games in Townsville
Cowboys scored 76 points in their two wins over Raiders last year
Jaxon Purdue has scored a try in four of his last five games when starting

Head To Head

This has been a successful matchup for the Cowboys in recent times, winning the last six meetings and the last four at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

North Queensland throttled Canberra in their two meetings in 2024, prevailing 34-16 in the nation's capital before a 42-4 blowout up north in Round 24.

North Queensland Cowboys Form

It's been a dreadful start to the season for the Cowboys and if it wasn't for Parramatta's equally poor start, they would be rock bottom on the ladder.

North Queensland were blown off the park by Manly 42-12 in their season opener, while they had no answers for the Sharks at home, losing 36-12.

Todd Payten's side were always going to lift for the Queensland derby last week against Brisbane and although they went down 26-16, there were a couple of encouraging signs to take into this clash with the Raiders.

North Queensland Cowboys Team News

Payten has named an unchanged lineup from the team that went down to Brisbane, showing faith after their improved performance. Zac Laybutt is listed in the reserves as he continues his comeback from an ACL injury sustained in Round 5 last year.

North Queensland Cowboys Team List

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Robert Derby

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Viliami Vailea

5. Murray Taulagi

6. Tom Dearden

7. Jake Clifford

8. Jordan McLean

9. Reece Robson

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. John Bateman

12. Kai O’Donnell

13. Reuben Cotter

Interchange

14. Sam McIntyre

15. Jeremiah Nanai

16. Griffin Neame

17. Coen Hess

Reserves

18. Harrison Edwards

19. Zac Laybutt

20. Thomas Duffy

21. Karl Lawton

22. Thomas Mikaele

Canberra Raiders Form

The Raiders were excellent as they launched the season in Vegas, dismantling the Warriors 30-8 as Xavier Savage and Seb Kris scored doubles.

Canberra backed up that display with a brilliant 32-22 home victory over the Broncos, who had dropped 50 points on the Roosters the previous week.

However, Ricky Stuart's side have been guilty of Jekyll & Hyde performances over the years and that was the case last week, with the Green Machine leaking 30 first-half points against the Sea Eagles at Brookie and never recovering as they went down 40-12.

If Jamal Fogarty's kicking game isn't firing, the Raiders can look devoid of ideas in attack and that's what happened after they were wrongly denied the opening try by the video ref.

Canberra Raiders Team News

Big boost for the Raiders as Joseph Tapine returns from suspension, pushing Trey Mooney to the bench and Corey Horsburgh to lock. Morgan Smithies will miss this game due to concussion.

Canberra Raiders Team List

1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Savelio Tamale

3. Matthew Timoko

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Xavier Savage

6. Ethan Strange

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Josh Papali’i

9. Tom Starling

10. Joseph Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Matt Nicholson

13. Corey Horsburgh

Interchange

14. Owen Pattie

15. Simi Sasagi

16. Trey Mooney

17. Ata Mariota

Reserves

18. Danny Levi

19. Jed Stuart

20. Pasami Saulo

21. Albert Hopoate

22. Adam Cook

Verdict

North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders

The Cowboys are backed to win their first game of the season, picking up a seventh straight win over the Raiders.

Canberra leaked 40 points on the road last week, including four tries to their opposing right centre, so Jaxon Purdue is the pick for Anytime/First Tryscorer.

Cowboys Win

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