Round 5: Warriors v Cowboys preview
Warriors play host to Cowboys in Gosford as Paul Green rings the changes.
The New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys will be looking to get back in the winner's circle on Friday night after both sides were brought back down to earth with losses against the Panthers and Sharks respectively in round 4.
After returning to action in round 3 with an impressive victory over the Dragons in which Stephen Kearney's men completed their sets at a staggering 96%, it was widely tipped the time spent with each other in camp on the Central Coast had done wonders for the Warriors team morale.
Suddenly, that form doesn't seem that great at all given the Dragons current woes and they were safely held by the Panthers last week.
In a boost for the home team, Lachlan Burr has been named to return up front where he will suit up for his 50th NRL appearance. His inclusion sees veteran Adam Blair shift to the back of the scrum and coincidentally, he will run out for his 50th game in Warriors colours.
Isaiah Papali'I has been relegated to the reserves list alongside Agnatius Paasi and Peta Hiku who will be looking to force their names onto the game day team sheet following a week out due to suspension and injury respectively.
The Cowboys followed up their comprehensive victory over the Titans in round 3 with a ten point loss at the hands of the Sharks last Saturday night. Despite missing the go-forward of Jason Taumololo, they still managed to remain competitive for the majority of the contest which makes some of Coach Green's changes a touch surprising.
The two victims of the coach's axe are Ben Hampton and 2015 premiership winning rake Jake Granville. They will be replaced by teen sensation Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on the wing and Reece Robson who is promoted from the interchange where youngster Rueben Cotter will step in.
The other changes see Coen Hess return from an ankle injury in the back-row in place of veteran Gavin Cooper who pushes back to the bench in place of the injured John Asiata.
The name of Jason Taumololo in jersey 20 looms large and will be a massive IN if he can prove his fitness in time for kick-off on Friday night.
Last meeting: Round 6 2019 - Warriors 10 Cowboys 17
Who to watch: Kiwi International Tohu Harris hasn't missed a minute in his four games to date this season. That's by no means unusual for the Warriors workhorse, but it's clear the tireless backrower has gone to another level since the competition's resumption in the absence of many of his injured team mates. Normally an edge forward, Harris has spent time shifting between the middle and the edges in the past two rounds averaging 52 tackles and 221 metres.
‘It's hammer time'! After lighting up the Perth nines in February with four spectacular tries including the match-winner to ice the final against the Dragons, it appeared fans would need to wait until at least July to see Cowboys development player Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow burst onto the NRL scene. Rules have since been relaxed with clubs now free to select development players and the Cowboys have wasted little time unleashing their teen freak into the action.
At the tender age of 18, the born and bred Cairns Kangaroo has been blessed with supreme athletic skills fitting the prototype for a modern day winger- Big, strong and can run like the wind with many smart pundits laying claim he will challenge for the title of fastest man in Rugby League after already clocking 10.85 seconds in 100 metres.
If you haven't heard of ‘The Hammer' already, chances are you will know about him after he lights up Central Coast Stadium on Friday night.
The favourite: The Cowboys are clear favourites by the bookies to get the choccies in this one.
My tip: Tough game to pick and a lot could rest on which players find their way into the final 17 and probably more importantly, which Warriors side turns up. Wouldn't at all be surprised if the Warriors put in another strong showing on their adopted home turf but the safe money has to be on the Cowboys with the margin growing if Taumololo suits up. Cowboys by 6.
