Match Centre

Round 14: Cowboys v Warriors preview

Both teams set to get a plethora of big-name stars back, as they start to string together consecutive wins with the second half of the season now approaching. 

The Cowboys snatched a late win against the Roosters last week, in the absolute round of upsets. Both sides were missing many key players due to Origin camp, but North QLD got the job done in the end, winning 18-16. This marks the Cowboys seventh overall win and their third in a row, after succumbing to five consecutive losses. 

All six of North QLDs Origin reps (Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter) have been named in the extended 24-man squad, with final decisions to be made post Origin match.

This leaves Jaxon Purdue, Braidon Burns, Jake Clifford, Sam McIntyre, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Thomas Mikaele in the starting side (respectively), similar to the side who played against the Roosters last match. Tom Chester also moves back to the bench after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. 

After back-to-back close wins to both the Panthers and the Dolphins, the Warriors are now fresh off their first bye of the season, which was a much-needed reprieve for their extended casualty ward. With five wins, six losses and one draw, the Warriors need continue to get the tides changing if they wish to have any hope of making the eight this year. 

Six Warriors return to the starting side including: Rocco Berry, Kurt Capewell and Tohu Harris who all suffered various injuries, Wayde Egan who was stood down due to HIA protocol, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who was unwell and Addin Fonua-Blake who was stood down. These returns cause Moala Graham-Taufa, Ed Kosi, Paul Roache, Jacob Laban, Bunty Afoa and Freddy Lussick to drop out of the squad. Shaun Johnson is unfortunately still on the sidelines with his pec injury, who is eyeing a Round 15 return at home against the Storm. 

Since 1998 these two teams have faced off 43 times, and they have basically equal winning records with the Warriors winning 22 and the Cowboys winning 21. However, the Warriors have been the better team in recent times, winning both their clashes in 2023. 

Last meeting: Round 7 2023 - Warriors 22 Cowboys 14

Who to watch: Battle of the fullbacks. 

Leading the competition in linebreak assists with 15, 40/20s with three and 12 short dropouts, Scott Drinkwater is an important part of the Cowboys backline. Starring in all 13 games so far this season, he has also made 15 try assists and six of his own tries. Regardless of whether the Origin boys backup for North QLD, Drinkwater is likely to have a day out against the Warriors. 

Starting opposite Drinkwater for the Warriors, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has starred in seven out twelve games this season (six as 5/8, one as fullback). Nicoll-Klokstad has scored two tries and assisted with three, whilst making 36 tackle breaks and five linebreaks. 

Favourite: The Cowboys are favoured to stay in the winning circle and get their fourth in a row.

My tip: North QLD are uncertain of whether their Origin boys will back up with the combination of the Warriors getting many key players in their squad, it feels like the obvious choice is that the Warriors will get the win, but I fear that won't be the case.

The Cowboys were able to get the job done last week, and even if they only get a few of their six representatives back they still have a strong side. I do think it will be a close game between the two, with back-and-forth scoring, with it only coming down to a few points. Cowboys by 2.