While the Cowboys are weakened, Havili said there was one reason you could never take them lightly - Jason Taumalolo.

Bateman's yet to play in the 2020 NRL season after successive bouts of shoulder surgery, but he was named in the 17 to face the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday.

Given the Raiders' injury toll alone his return is a boost. And when you throw in his aggression and sheer bloody mindedness of refusing to lose the impact's even greater.

"We all know what kind of style 'Batty' plays. He brings that energy and real competitiveness. He's excited," Havili said on Wednesday.

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Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said the return of Bateman and inclusion of recruit Corey Harawira-Naera for the first time was the injection an injury hit Canberra needed.

Although he did wonder if Bateman would be able to cope with the Towsnville heat and humidity given the England international gets sunburnt from a full moon.

"He's excited Batty. He's ready to go. We'll see how the lungs go in Townsville. It's 26 degrees with all the humidity," Croker said.

"He'll be fine, he'll be excited. I'm sure he'll be calling to get the ball as much as possible to get amongst it.

"It's great to have Batty back. We all know what he's like and the influence he has on the team."

The Cowboys have been hit hard by injury, suspension and the sacking of their coach.

They've lost their past four and only won one of their past eight, which has seen former coach Paul Green moved on.

The Raiders have also won their past two trips to Townsville.

State of Origin star Josh McGuire will miss the game due to suspension, while the Cowboys have a largely unknown backline.

But they still have human wrecking ball Taumalolo.

"They've lost their coach in the last two weeks, but it's just the normal Cowboys. I expect they're still going to be the same team," Havili said.

"They've still got one of the best forwards in the game to play, Jase. He's a really good forward and we have to be on top of [him]."

Havili said recruit Corey Harawira-Naera had settled in well and spent his first training session on Tuesday learning their systems.

Harawira-Naera's arrival's a welcome boost for the Green Machine pack, which has been hit hard by injury.

He's been named on the bench, but Havili said they were yet to finalise their starting 13.

Not only have the Raiders been teaching the New Zealand international about how they play, but also helping him forget the way Canterbury does.

"He trained with us [on Tuesday] to get familiar with the calls and teach him our plays, and take those Dogs plays out of him too," Havili said with a grin.

NRL ROUND 12

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys at Townsville, 5.30pm.

Raiders team list: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Hudson Young. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joe Tapine, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Harley Smith-Shields, 20. Kai O'Donnell, 21. Matt Frawley.

Cowboys team list: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O'Neill, 4. Connelly Lemuelu, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Daejarn Asi, 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Shane Wright, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo (c). Interchange: 14. Mitch Dunn, 15. Tom Gilbert,16. Gavin Cooper, 17. Francis Molo. Reserves: 18. John Asiata, 19. Ben Hampton, 20. Esan Marsters, 21. Jake Granville.