FRIDAY,MAY 24th,2024 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM, TOWNSVILLE,QLD
The Cowboys have elected to go with the same team that got the job done against the struggling Rabbitohs last week in a 28-22 win, their first victory since round 5.
Braidon Burns holds his spot on the wing after a double at Magic Round, but Kyle Feldt has been named on the extended bench so he could be a late inclusion. LATE MAIL. Burns is out, and Feldt is in the run on side.
An intriguing clash awaits at CommBank on Super Saturday, as the Eels aim to snap a two-match losing streak against the Cowboys.
Eels Seek Redemption Against Cowboys
Parramatta started the season with a bang, but the injury to Mitch Moses has predictably halted their progress and they’ve lost their two games since beating Manly, falling to the Tigers before last week’s embarrassing performance against the Raiders.
The Eels were humbled 41-8 and didn’t look like firing a shot. They are a different team without Moses leading them around the park and unfortunately Dylan Brown just doesn’t have that quality in his game.
However, this is a great chance for points. The Cowboys have leaked 20+ in their last four games and aren’t great defensively.
Cowboys’ Home Record at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
The Cowboys have yet to reach the heights of their 2022 season, where they were only minutes away from a grand final berth.
Todd Payten will coach his 100th NRL game this weekend, so his team should be highly motivated for this clash. Expect a big game from Tom Dearden, with the Queensland number six jersey suddenly up for grabs.
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo , 18. Jake Granville 19. Jake Clifford 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Kyle Feldt 22. Jaxon Purdue.
Marshall Faces Selection Dilemma After Centre Suspensions
Benji Marshall has been compelled to make multiple changes from last week’s 24-12 loss in a scrappy affair against the Dolphins, as both centres have been suspended. Declan Casey and Josh Feledy replace Justin Olam and Brent Naden, while Justin Matamua has been named to start at lock, with Alex Twal dropping back to the bench. Isaiah Papali’i’s return from suspension in the second row is a significant boost for the Tigers.
Young Talent Key for Tigers’ Upset Bid
With English forward John Bateman also side lined with a pec injury, Benji Marshall will once again look to young stars Lachlan Galvin and Jahream Bula and star skipper Api Koroisau to spring his side to a Round 12 upset.
The Tigers’ season is quickly slipping away, their Magic Round loss their seventh in a row. After back-to-back wins in rounds 2 and 3, there were high hopes that Wests might finally be able to turn it around, but the side has struggled since.
It’s in attack where the Tigers are really struggling, averaging just 14.5 points per game, which is the worst in the competition. On the bright side, young five-eighth Lachlan Galvin has shown plenty of potential and his side will be hoping he can continue to grow and improve as the season goes on.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Declan Casey 4. Josh Feledy 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Justin Matamua, 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole, 18. Sione Fainu 19. Alexander Lobb 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape
Referee. Belinda Sharpe ,Touch Judges, David Munro, Tyson Brough, Bunker. Matt Noyen
Key Stats and Milestones to Watch
The Cowboys have won only two of their last six games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Wests Tigers have won only two of their past 12 games at Queensland venues.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored seven tries in his last five games against the Tigers.
Wests Tigers have scored over 17 points in a game only once this season.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten will reach the milestone of 100 games as NRL head coach.
Prediction.
I have to go with the Cows here at home. They simply have to win, or their season is cow dust.
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