NRL Previews - Cowboys v Knights (Round 2)

  vs  
19-03-2011 09:30PM at Dairy Farmers Stadium

Referees: Jared Maxwell and Phil Haines
Touch Judges: Jason Walsh and Michael Wise
Video Referee: Phil Cooley

Both big winners in round 1 and both obviously improved from an off-season of soul searching. Did the Cowboys get in the room of mirrors and take a good, long, hard look at themselves? Or are they improved simply because Matt Bowen's knees have finally healed? Were they that bad last year? Or was Jonathan Thurston simply too damaged to perform at his world beating best? Am I going to ask any more questions?

No. You can see where I am going with this... defending the Cowboys' performance last year is difficult, but they already appear to be a different club and more importantly, fully fit. The Knights showed they are of a similar ilk last week at Penrith and now get to enjoy more steamy conditions in Townsville. This heat will bring them undone at crucial times on Saturday night as the Cowboys continue their resurgence, but only just in what shapes up to be a beauty.

My Tip: Cowboys 20-18

The Teams

North Queensland Cowboys               Newcastle Knights
Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries S. Bolton A. Winterstein B. Tate	1. Matt Bowen Fullback 1. Kurt Gidley 2. Ashley Graham Wing 2. James McManus 3. Will Tupou Centre 3. Junior Sau 4. Willie Tonga Centre 4. Wes Naiqama 5. Michael Bani Wing 5. Akuila Uate 6. Ray Thompson Five Eighth 6. Beau Henry 7. Johnathan Thurston Halfback 7. Jarrod Mullen 8. Matthew Scott Prop 8. Antonio Kaufusi 9. Aaron Payne Hooker 9. Matt Hilder 10. James Tamou Prop 10. Evarn Tuimavave 11. Gavin Cooper Second Row 11. Zeb Taia 12. Glenn Hall Second Row 12. Cameron Ciraldo 13. Dallas Johnson Lock 13. Chris Houston 14. Ben Jones Interchange 14. Ben Rogers 15. Leeson Ah Mau Interchange 15. Cory Paterson 16. Tariq Sims Interchange 16. Richard Fa'aoso 17. Ashton Sims Interchange 17. Daniel Tolar	Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries I. De Gois N. Costigan M. Taufua

Head to Head

LeagueUnlimited Tipsters - Courtesy of www.MyTips.com.au

Other Games this Round

• Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers at Parramatta Stadium
• Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium
• Melbourne Storm v Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park
• Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors at Leichhardt Oval
• North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights at Dairy Farmers Stadium
• South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium
• Sydney Roosters v Manly Sea Eagles at Sydney Football Stadium
• Cronulla Sutherland Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons at Toyota Stadium