Wests Tigers v Cowboys preview

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Sunday Afternoon. Leichardt Oval. Does it get any better?

Posting consecutive wins over the Dragons and Eels to sit just outside the top eight on percentages, the Tigers return to Leichardt Oval for their biggest match of the season. Having forged an engrossing rivalry with the Cowboys since the 2005 Grand Final, the Tigers will be hoping to continue their surge towards September with a win over the reigning premiers on Sunday. With halfback Luke Brooks suffering a knee injury that is expected to sideline him for a month, former Manly lower grader Jack Littlejohn has been named to partner Mitchell Moses, however coach Jason Taylor to alter the starting lineup prior to kick-off. Producing a series of improved performances in the wake of Robbie Farah's controversial first grade omission, the Tigers will be out to prove their worth as top eight contenders by accounting for their more fancied rivals.

Unable to get the better of the Storm in Townsville last Saturday, the Cowboys will be out to prove they are capable of winning games without Johnathan Thurston, as the influential playmaker continues to recover from injury. Once again coach Paul Green has been able to feature the same side as last week, with Ray Thompson named to start at halfback, despite coming off the bench in the loss to Melbourne. Currently equal on points with Canterbury, the Cowboys will be looking to solidify their position in the top four in order to give themselves the best possible chance of recording back-to-back titles. While their record over the Tigers in recent seasons has seen them manage four win from six clashes, North Queensland has recorded just one win at Leichardt Oval back in 2000, when current coach Paul Green scored a try in an 18-8 win.

Last meeting: Round 11 2015 - Tigers 0 Cowboys 8

Who to watch: With the bulk of playmaking responsibility to fall on the shoulders of Mitchell Moses on Sunday, the 21-year-old five-eighth will need to produce a Man of the Match performance if the Tigers are to prevail. Having starred in the absence of Luke Brooks earlier in the season, the ability to dominate an opposition is not beyond the young half, but coming up against the class of North Queensland, Moses will need to lift once more. Having recently surpassed 50 games in first grade, Moses has developed into a formidable player for the Tigers, capable of leading the joint venture to their first finals appearance in five years.

As the clock winds down on his time in Townsville, Cowboys prop James Tamou will be hoping to go out with a bang before linking up with Penrith next season. Having debuted back in 2009, the 27-year-old has experienced a series of highs in North Queensland by representing state and country, as well as crossing for a try in the maiden premiership win last year. Set to face off against NSW teammate Aaron Woods in a tantalising duel, Tamou shapes a key figure for the Cowboys as they look to continue their charge towards becoming the first side in over 20 years to claim back-to-back titles.

The favourite: Despite going down last week, the Cowboys are expected to prove too strong for the resurgent Tigers.

My tip: While the Tigers will have no shortage of support, the class of the reigning premiers should win out in the end. Cowboys by 7.

1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tim Simona 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Jordan Rankin 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Jack Littlejohn 8. Aaron Woods 9. Dene Halatau 10. Sauaso Sue 11. Josh Aloiai 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Kyle Lovett 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Tim Grant 17. Joel Edwards

1. Lachlan Coote 2. Javid Bowen 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 18. Johnathan Thurston 8. Matthew Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. James Tamou 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. John Asiata 16. Scott Bolton 17. Ben Hannant

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Ricky MacFarlane; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Matt Cecchin, Luke Patten