The Sheriff's Preview: Raiders V Cowboys - Toyota Cup

[Raidercast]

NYC preview: Cowboys v Raiders

The Sheriff's match preview:
Toyota Cup Cowboys v Raiders
Round 5, 2012 Toyota Cup

TEAMS

Toyota Cup Cowboys: 1. Wayne Ulugia, 2. Rogan Dean, 3. Kyle Feldt, 4. Tim Cassidy, 5. Zac Santo, 6. Clifford Beetham, 7. Sam Foster, 8. Nick Dorante, 9. Alex Elisala, 10. John Puna, 11. Patrick Kaufusi, 12. Jack Svendsen, 13. Tennyson Elliot. Interchange: 14. Nathan Norford, 15. Tom Hancock, 16. Jack Kelleher, 17. Francis Veukiso. Coach: Todd Wilson.

Canberra Raiders: 1. Jack Ahearn, 2. Jonathon Reuben, 3. Matthew Allgood, 4. Edrick Lee, 5. Malcom Congoo, 6. Mitchell Cornish (c), 7. Jordan Worboys, 8. Shannon Boyd, 9. Ben Picker, 10. Shane Duck, 11. Michael Chee-Kam, 12. Joe Bradley, 13. Hayden Crockett. Interchange: 14. Josh Mitchell, 15. Jeff Lynch, 16. Tim Sloman, 17. Uiti Baker, 18. Sheen Lomax, 19. Dane Clarke. Coach: Andrew Dunemann.

HEAD-TO-HEADS
Played: 8 – Cowboys 2, Raiders 5 (1 draw)
Head-to-head at Canberra Stadium: Played 3 – Cowboys 1, Raiders 1 (1 draw)
Last game: Cowboys 20 d Raiders 18 at Canberra Stadium (round 13, 2011)
Biggest head-to-head wins: Cowboys 42 d Raiders 12 (Dairy Farmers Stadium - Rd 6, 2011); Raiders 38 d Cowboys 24 (Dairy Farmers Stadium - Rd 14, 2010)

MATCH DETAILS

Date: 4.45pm, Monday 2 April 2012
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Live updates: www.twitter.com/nthqldcowboys
Referees: Gavin West
Touch judges: Michael Laverty, Phil Henderson
Main game: 7pm

HOW THE SHERIFF SEES IT...

It was always going to be difficult for this year’s Cowboys NYC team to match the achievements of the 2011 version and that’s how 2012 has panned out so far.

However, it’s only the end of March and there's still plenty of this season left for the situation to improve.

Three losses in four games for our inexperienced young team doesn’t mean they won’t be in position to challenge for a finals place, but it has put them a little off the pace.

Their defeats haven’t been by massive margins – the 20-point loss to Cronulla doesn't reflect their full performance because the Sharks added two tries in the final few minutes – and it’s probably just been a lack of direction and confidence at key times that has cost them in each defeat.

It’s all part of the learning process and development of an under-20s football team.

One area that definitely needs improvement is their ball control, after a 22 from 38 completion rate ruined their chances of a win against the Sharks on Saturday night.

It’s been a similar story in the other three matches with a completion rate of 67% being the best NQ has managed so far.

On Monday, the Cowboys head to Canberra on one of the most challenging away trips of the season and will run into a Raiders team that will be stinging after being dusted by 30 points by the Tigers in round four.

Coach Todd Wilson is still searching for his best halves combination and this week will try his third pairing with Clifford Beetham teaming up with ever-present Sam Foster.

Cliffy made his debut off the bench two weeks ago and will be better for the experience of having that run.

A victory in the nation’s capital would definitely lift the Cowboys’ spirits and there’s no reason it can’t happen.

Source: Cowboys