Canberra Raiders vs North Queensland Cowboys Verdict
The Canberra Raiders have not beaten the Cowboys at home since 2018, have lost six of their last seven games at GIO Stadium and have dropped seven straight games in this fixture. The trends, coupled with current form, means North Queensland have to be the play.
- North Queensland have won their last 7 games against Canberra.
- The Cowboys have won their last 4 away games and Canberra have lost 6 of their last 7 games at GIO Stadium.
- North Queensland have averaged 30.4 points across their last 5 games.
- The projected total is 49.6 total points, which sits well below the 54.5 line.
Head to Head Stats
North Queensland won the most recent meeting 30-20 last season and have taken seven straight against the Raiders.
Canberra's home edge has not shown up in this matchup, with the Raiders still looking for their first home win over the Cowboys since 2018.
Canberra Raiders Form - Home Troubles
Canberra are coming off a 30-22 loss to the Dolphins after scoring in the opening minute and failing to stay with them across the full 80 minutes. The Raiders are averaging 21.6 points and conceding 25.4 across their last 5 games.
Seb Kris returns after missing last week with a quad issue, and Ethan Strange and Hudson Young have been named to back up from Origin One but double check team lists prior to kickoff. Jayden Brailey is out with concussion and Daine Laurie has been named to start at lock.
The Raiders still have enough strike through Kaeo Weekes, Xavier Savage and Matthew Timoko, but the form trend at GIO Stadium is hard to ignore. They have not been turning home games into the advantage the market is pricing.
North Queensland Cowboys Form - Cowboys Find Rhythm
North Queensland are in the better rhythm. They have won four of their last five games, averaged 30.4 points across that run and come into this after putting 30 points on South Sydney.
Reuben Cotter has been named to back up from Origin One, Jason Taumalolo shifts to prop and Matt Lodge moves to the bench. That keeps the Cowboys big through the middle while still giving them bench punch.
Murray Taulagi returning from concussion is a strong boost to the edge attack. He is named on the wing outside a Cowboys backline that already has Scott Drinkwater and Tom Chester creating points, which is why both the first tryscorer and multi angles are live.