Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 2 NRL game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Canberra Raiders. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Canberra Raiders heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Nth Queensland Cowboys vs. Canberra Raiders game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday March 19, 2022 at 7:35 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Nth Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders Odds

Nth Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders Preview

Todd Payten’s seat is heating up after his North Queensland Cowboys side scored only four points in their loss to the Bulldogs. It looked as though Ricky Stuart would also start with a loss before his Canberra Raiders scored a last-gasp try to beat the Sharks 24-19.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is out with a knee injury which brings Griffin Neame onto the Cowboys bench. Brad Schneider is out due to Covid isolation –  Matt Frawley joins the Raiders bench. Meanwhile, Tom Starling replaces the injured Josh Hodgson at hooker which allows Adrian Trevilyan to make his NRL debut in #14.

Payten wanted to put a focus on the Cowboys’ defence to start the 2022 NRL season. If we’re searching for positives from their ugly 6-4 loss to the Bulldogs, there is the defensive element. Sure, the Bulldogs are awful with the ball but North Queensland did what they wanted to do and kept their line relatively strong. It’s with the ball that they struggled. Although, it appeared to be down to execution more than a lack of creativity. As we saw with their game-winning try late last week, the Raiders got straight into their work with the ball. They executed down the stretch and it’s encouraging to see so early in the year. Most importantly, however, is the form of Jack Wighton. How he plays has such a massive bearing on the Raiders overall and he looked like 2020 Wighton out there in Round 1. If he turns up in the same mood on Saturday night, the Raiders will have too much with the ball for this possibly-improved Cowboys defence.

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