Schneider will go head to head with the Penrith Panthers playmaker at Penrith Stadium on Sunday, as the Green Machine looks to end a three-game losing streak.

The Raiders got through their captain's run unscathed on Saturday - which is no mean feat given their mounting injury toll.

While Schneider's only three years younger than Cleary, this is the latter's seventh NRL season while Schneider's played just six games.

Schneider, 21, grew up playing for Queensland's Kirwan High watching the Panthers and NSW halfback.

Now he's going up against the best halves partnership in the game - Cleary and Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai.

"Obviously Cleary's only young too, but he's been around a bit. The same with Luai," Schneider said.

"I watched them a fair bit when I was a bit younger as well. It'll be a job to come up against those two and hopefully get the win.

"I try to replicate my game from a lot of people. Cleary's obviously one of the best halves in the game right now.

"I do watch him a fair bit and try and do things he does, but I try to do my own thing as well. I'm my own player and I'll try to make my name for myself."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

His kicking game was a big focus for Schneider and he showed elements of Cleary with a cross-field kick he attempted against the North Queensland Cowboys for his right edge - something that's become a trademark of the Panther's game.

Schneider's relishing the chance to work with Dally M Medal-winning five-eighth Jack Wighton in the absence of Jamal Fogarty (knee).

He's focusing on steering the Green Machine around to allow Wighton to concentrate on his powerful running game.

"I'm learning every game. We're getting stronger every game [as a halves partnership] and as much I can I keep growing with Jack," Schneider said.

"He's a very, very good player - it's very instinctive footy - and as much as I can I control everything to let him free up to do his thing.

"I just keep learning and getting better at that part of the game."

NRL ROUND SEVEN

Sunday: Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at Panthers Stadium, 4pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Jack Wighton (c), 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 18. Hudson Young, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 15. Harry Rushton, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 19. Matt Frawley, 22. Trey Mooney.

Panthers squad: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Taylan May, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary (c), 8. Matt Eisenhuth, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (c). Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Jaeman Salmon. Reserves: 18. Robert Jennings, 22. Soni Luke.

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