NRL, ROUND 2, NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

MARCH 16th, 2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM, TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA

Knights Stumble in Season Opener, Falling to Raiders

Newcastle endured a significant upset in the inaugural Australian game of the 2024 NRL season. Despite playing at home in front of a nearly sold-out crowd, The Knights were unable to counter a resolute Raiders side, who secured a commanding 28-12 victory.

Lackluster Defence Costs Knights Against Raiders

Despite trailing by only two points at halftime, their lackluster defence allowed Canberra to score 20 points in the second half. With poor discipline and uninspiring attack, we got a glimpse of the Knights team that started last year – not the one that ended it.

Cowboys Dominate Dolphins in Brisbane Showdown

The narrative takes a sharp turn for North Queensland as they journey to Brisbane for a highly anticipated showdown against The Dolphins. Bookmakers were divided, setting the stage for a closely contested match that could swing either direction.

Cowboys Cruise to Victory Over Dolphins

From the second minute, The Cowboys dominated, playing expansive football which shot The Dolphins edges to pieces. They maintained relentless momentum throughout, ultimately cruising to a 43-18 victory. The contrasting season starts for North Queensland and Newcastle set the stage for a captivating clash in Townsville.

Team Updates: Cowboys Unchanged, Knights Make Adjustments

In team updates, The Cowboys have retained their starting 17 unchanged, while Tom Jenkins steps in to fill the void left by the injured Enari Tuala on the wing for The Knights.

Kai Pearce-Paul has been promoted to a starting spot, due to concussion protocol for Dylan Lucas. Former Rabbitoh Jed Cartwright comes in to take the final bench spot.

Key Stats and Predictions for Upcoming Matches

Knights haven’t won in Townsville since 2015

Cowboys have won eight of the last 11 meetings between the teams

Cowboys have covered a -7.5 line in four of their last five home wins

Knights have failed to cover a +7.5 line in their last three defeats

Three of the last five meetings have seen Under 46.5 points

Kyle Feldt has scored a try in five of his last six home games

Valentine Holmes has scored a try in nine of his last 11 games vs Knights

Greg Marzhew has scored a try in 10 of his last 12 games

Jeremiah Nanai has scored a try in his last six games vs teams on a losing run

Team Line-Ups

Newcastle

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Jed Cartwright 18. Brodie Jones 19. Will Pryce 20. Mathew Croker 21. Fletcher Sharpe 22. Thomas Cant

Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Jack Gosiewski 22. Jake Clifford

Referee: Adam Gee;

Side line Officials: Belinda Sharpe, Michael Wise;

Video Referee: Liam Kennedy

PREDICTION.

North Queensland started their season in perfect fashion last week, putting 43 points past the Dolphins at Suncorp on their way to a solid victory.

They return home now to Townsville where they were 8-4 last year hopeful to replicate the dynamic attacking performance from Round 1. The Cowboys had 7 line-breaks in the game as well as 2074 run metres, the most of any team across the first round.

Newcastle were lacklustre in their Round 1 loss to the Raiders. They committed 15 errors in the game with many of those coming at terrible spots on the ground for the Knights, almost gifting the Raiders points.

The Knights were terrible last week – their attack was clunky and Ponga was quiet, so it’s going to be tough travelling to face an in-form Cowboys at a venue they haven’t won at since 2015.

I will go with the Cows at home in humid Townsville. Val Holmes any time try scorer.

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