RAIDERS coach David Furner has spent the past week working with North Queensland's Kangaroos contingent, but his task now is to find a way to stop the Cowboys' Australian stars.
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Containing the influence of mercurial playmaker Johnathan Thurston and front-row enforcers Matt Scott and James Tamou will go a long way to the Raiders ending a seven-year drought in Townsville next weekend.
Furner got a valuable insight into what makes the trio tick in his role as an assistant coach for the Kangaroos for Friday night's 32-12 win against New Zealand at Canberra Stadium.
Thurston was solid without being spectacular, but stood up when it counted as the Kangaroos piled on four tries in a 11-minute, second-half blitz.
Scott and Tamou were strong during some tough confrontations in the middle of the park against an aggressive New Zealand pack.
Before the serious business of studying the tape and analysing any weaknesses - if any are in their games - begins, Furner gave Thurston a licence to make the most of the Canberra night life.
"I suggested that he's got an early morning flight and he may as well just keep going all the way through,'' Furner joked. "That's probably the best - take the two front-rowers with him.''
If the Raiders are to win their first game at 1300SMILES Stadium since 2006, they will have to do it without two of their best forwards, David Shillington and Josh Papalii.
Furner confirmed Papalii would miss the trip to Townsville after having a minor knee operation, but hoped he would be right to take on Melbourne Storm the week after. Shillington is out with a rib injury.
Hooker Glen Buttriss is also likely to be sidelined for another week with a shoulder injury.
However, they will be boosted by captain Terry Campese having another week of preparation under his belt after a successful comeback in last week's stirring victory over the Warriors.
Thurston is wary of the organisational skills Campese brings to the Raiders back line, but also praised the efforts of halves Sam Williams and Josh McCrone, who are in action for Country on Sunday.
"Campo's really important and their main player, but the halves have done a really good job without him,'' Thurston said.
"Really impressed with Josh McCrone - he's got a big future.
"He's got some football brains and some real talent, as does young Sammy Williams.
"The Raiders have got a bit of confidence back and when they do they're playing really good football, so it's going to be a tough night for us.''
The Raiders (3-3) will be gunning for their third straight win while the Cowboys are desperate to stay in touch with the top eight after winning just two of their opening six games.
With the exception of Williams, McCrone and Country centre Jack Wighton, the rest of the Raiders squad has had a three-day break and will resume training on Monday.
Furner has balanced his coaching role at the Raiders with his assistant coaching post for the national team for the past few years under Tim Sheens.
He views working in that environment as a chance to collect information he can put into practice, while also picking up tips from some of the game's elite players such as Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
"It's just interesting to see how they apply themselves week in and week out,'' Furner said.
''It's always good to work with that calibre of players.
''Anything you can pick up, you can take to your club.''