Canberra coach David Furner gave the thumbs up to halfback Matt Orford to make his debut for the club on Friday night against the Broncos, but fullback Josh Dugan faces another week on the sidelines.

Star off-season recruit Orford is recovering from an abductor strain but has trained with the team this week and Furner believes the diminutive halfback's kicking game will be crucial against Brisbane.

"Getting to their kicks, they've got a very good back three," he said.

"So our kicks have to be spot on. So his experience will be very valuable."

Unfortunately for Raiders fans, Dugan is still suffering from a corked calf and will not play on Friday night, with David Milne again taking over the No.1 jersey.

After a thumping win over Cronulla last Sunday, Furner is under no illusions the Broncos represent another prospect altogether.

"We know we're in for a very tough game," he said.

Despite the Broncos' opening-round loss to the Cowboys, Furner thought they had good ball control.

With regular co-captains Alan Tongue and Terry Campese both on the injury list, the on-field leadership will be taken up by international forwards David Shillington and Bronson Harrison.

Harrison conceded that more is expected of the Raiders this year, adding "Brisbane is never an easy game".

The Broncos, who named an unchanged side, lost both of their matches against the Raiders last year and have not won in Canberra since 2005.

"With the stat right there they'll probably be coming down trying to turn that one around," Harrison said.

It's clear the Raiders are prepared for the young, enthusiastic Broncos side eager to give new coach Anthony Griffin his first win in the NRL.

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