Warriors v Cowboys preview

New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys
Mt Smart Stadium - Saturday 5:30pm

Cowboys aim top bounce back as Warriors scratch to keep their 2015 campaign alive.

Pressure is starting to mount on the North Queensland Cowboys as they have dropped their last two games. They have a big match against a Warriors outfit who have really fallen off the pace after the loss of Shaun Johnson. This is the warriors last chance and will need to be at their absolute best to even have a chance against the Cowboys. They have Bodene Thompson back from injury to bolster their pack but will need some more creativity from Chad Townsend to spark the Warriors attack into life.

The Cowboys have no fresh changes and will want to put the last two weeks behind them. They have been pretty flat over the past month, and will want to focus on a committed 80 minute performance in this clash. If the Cowboys can start positively in the first 15 minutes then they will go on to win this clash quite comfortably.

Last meeting: Round 7 2015 - North Queensland Cowboys 28 New Zealand Warriors 24

The Warriors have won 5 of the past 8 against the Cowboys and will fancy getting a win at home on Saturday.

Who to watch: For the Cowboys all eyes will be on Jonathan Thurston. Thurston needs to stand up defensively and lead from the front for the Cowboys on Saturday evening. He is their leader and need to encourage his fellow players. We all know how dangerous he is attacking wise, but now more than ever we need to know if he can be a leader when it counts and help the Cowboys get out of this rut.

The Warriors have lacked spark in attack but it has been their defence that has really let them down over the past 3 weeks. The return of Bodene Thompson is a huge plus as he is a player that regularly makes over 40 tackles a game and rarely makes mistakes defensively. Expect him to be focusing on taking the Likes of Thurston and Coote at the line with some heavy hits.

The favourite: Despite the home ground advantage, the Warriors are at long odds for this one. Cowboys short-priced favourites away from home.

My tip: The Cowboys will win this game fairly comfortably even being in NZ. The Warriors morale looks really low so can't see them getting up for this one, Cowboys to bounce back. Cowboys by 14.

1. Sam Tomkins 2. Ken Maumalo 3. Dominique Peyroux 4. Solomone Kata 5. Jonathan Wright 6. Chad Townsend 7. Tuimoala Lolohea 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Nathan Friend 10. Albert Vete 11. Sione Lousi 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Konrad Hurrell 15. Bodene Thompson 16. Sam Lisone 17. Charlie Gubb 18. Matthew Allwood

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Matthew Wright 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. James Tamou 11. John Asiata 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. Coen Hess 16. Scott Bolton 17. Ben Hannant

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Adam Devcich; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Kena Waikai; Video Referees: Shayne Hayne, Steve Folkes;

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