Raiders on the road to face Cowboys

[RNA]

Raiders on the road to face Cowboys
14 April 2011, 9:26 am

CANBERRA RAIDERS v NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday April 16 at 7.30pm
Referees: Gavin Badger & Steve Lyons

WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Raiders are desperate for a win after losing four in a row and will need to improve if they are to beat the Cowboys on their home turf. Big news at the club this week with the re-signing of Dane Tilse, Sam Williams and Mark Nicholls, with Williams getting an opportunity this week due to a back injury to halfback Matt Orford.

STATS BOX

HEAD TO HEAD

Played 26, North Queensland 8, Canberra 18

AT DAIRY FARMERS STADIUM

Played 13, North Queensland 6, Canberra 7

LAST 8 CLASHES

2010 - CANBERRA 48 d. NORTH QUEENSLAND 4 at Canberra Stadium;
NORTH QUEENSLAND 16 d. CANBERRA 8 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

2009 - CANBERRA 23 d. NORTH QUEENSLAND 18 at Canberra Stadium.

2008 - NORTH QUEENSLAND 22 d. CANBERRA 10 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

2007 - NORTH QUEENSLAND 28 d. CANBERRA 22 at Dairy Farmers Stadium;
NORTH QUEENSLAND 28 d. CANBERRA 24 at Canberra Stadium.

2006 - CANBERRA 15 d. NORTH QUEENSLAND 14 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

2005 - NORTH QUEENSLAND 31 d. CANBERRA 28 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Biggest Head-To-Head Wins

NORTH QUEENSLAND 34 d. CANBERRA 18 at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 2002.
CANBERRA 66 d. NORTH QUEENSLAND 10 at Canberra Stadium, 1996.

MATCH-UPS

Blake Ferguson – Matt Bowen
Ferguson comes under the spotlight again this weekend when he takes on one of the most experienced and exciting fullbacks in the competition in Matt Bowen. Despite some errors last weekend Ferguson showed he can fill in for the injured Dugan and will be looking to improve this week. Bowen is extremely dangerous in the middle third of the field and the Raiders will need to watch him backing up his forwards.

Sam Williams – Jonathan Thurston
The ink on Williams new two year deal will be barely dry when he faces up against the world’s best number seven on Saturday night. Williams gets a chance due to injury to Matt Orford and he’ll be looking to make the most of it. Thurston is back in form and will be a handful if the Raiders let him run the show.

Shaun Fensom – Dallas Johnson

The teams two workhorses face up with Fensom and Johnson set to get through plenty of defence on Saturday night. The interesting factor here will be who can offer the most in attack, with both players possessing the ability to back up and clean up loose ball for a try.

HE SAID IT – with Sam Williams
“I’m keen to get back out there and have a good game. I don’t think Matt Orford deserves the flak he’s copped in the past few weeks and if I can do a job while he’s out injured than I’ll try.”

WORTH NOTING

* Joel Thompson returns for the Raiders after a week out
* Reece Robinson scored a try on his return last week.
* Sam Williams and Dane Tilse re-signed this week
* The Raiders Toyota Cup kicks off against the Cowboys at 5.15pm

Source: www.raiders.com.au - Canberra Raiders News Headlines