SATURDAY JUNE 8th 2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM,TOWNSVILLE
Cowboys and Warriors Set for Showdown in Townsville
Both refreshed off a bye, the Cowboys and Warriors will be looking to continue their recent run of form when they meet in Townsville on Saturday.
Having both secured consecutive wins after struggling to close out games earlier in the year, the two teams are desperate to stay within reach of the top eight as they enter the second half of the season.
Warriors Gear Up for Tough Clash with Return of Key Players
Last week’s bye was timely for the Warriors due to their extensive injury list, and coach Andrew Webster hopes to welcome back seven of his first-choice players this week.
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (illness), hooker Wayde Egan (head injury), center Rocco Berry (hand), prop Addin Fonua-Blake (stood down), and back-rowers Kurt Capewell (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) are all set to return, strengthening the Warriors’ lineup.
Moala Graham-Taufa and Ed Kosi drop out of the backline while Paul Roache, Jacob Laban, Bunty Afoa and Freddy Lussick also make way while Dylan Walker shifts to the bench. Skipper Shaun Johnson remains side lined with a pectoral injury.
Cowboys’ Depth Tested Ahead of Clash with Warriors
Meanwhile, after orchestrating an impressive victory over the Roosters on Sunday, North Queensland’s depth could once again be tested, with six of their stars participating in the State of Origin series opener just three days earlier.
Having now secured three straight wins, coach Todd Payten is eager to maintain their upward trajectory. However, they face a tough challenge against a Warriors side bolstered by the return of their only Origin representative, Mitch Barnett, from camp ahead of the clash.
Todd Payten has named his Origin representatives Val Holmes, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson, and Jeremiah Nanai in his extended 24-man squad and will monitor their progress after Wednesday night’s Origin opener. Tom Chester has been added to the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Team Line-ups
Warriors.
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Marata Niukore 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris , 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Tom Ale 17. Kurt Capewell , 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Edward Kosi 23. Moala Graham-Taufa
Cowboys.
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Sam McIntyre 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Thomas Mikaele , 14. Tomas Chester, 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Jason Taumalolo, 18. Thomas Duffy , 19. Valentine Holmes 20. Murray Taulagi 21. Tom Dearden 22. Reece Robson , 23. Jeremiah Nanai , 24. Reuben Cotter .
Referee. Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski ,Touch Judges, Matt Noyen, Jarrod Cole , Bunker, Ashley Klein .
Predictions and Key Stats Ahead of Cowboys vs. Warriors Showdown
The Cowboys have scored 88 points in their past three games.
The Warriors have won five of their past seven games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored five tries in his past three games at QCB
Stadium.
Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has scored four tries in three games at QCB Stadium.
Hooker Reece Robson will make his 100th NRL appearance for the Cowboys if he backs up from the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday.
Prediction.
The Cowboys ran out some youngsters on the weekend and managed to upset the Roosters in Sydney. The Warriors won their last game two weeks ago, narrowly beating the Dolphins at home.
Another tough game to predict, with the Cowboys potentially having the advantage at home if they can maintain the 80-minute determination they showed against the Roosters. Much will depend on the performance of the Cowboys’ players.
Who will play after Origin? Also, if betting, I found the Warriors with a 7.5 point start.
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