Cowboys v Warriors preview

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North Queensland Cowboys v Warriors Saturday 5:30pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

The Cowboys survived a Round 1 scare when the Raiders pushed them all the way before a 76th minute field goal from Premiership winning half Chad Townsend got the Cowboys home. They followed this performance up with a solid first half effort against the Broncos, before the Cowboys fell away after the break, giving Brisbane a 28-16 victory.

The Warriors came into the 2023 season with a lot of player turnover, another new coach and low expectations from pundits. But they opened their 2023 campaign with a solid 20-12 victory over the Knights and followed it up with a spirited effort against the more highly fancied Roosters, where the Bondi Boys scraped home with a 20-12 win.

It would then be fair to summise that despite both sides coming into this Round 3 encounter with a win and a loss apiece, that the Warriors are in better and more consistent form. Will it be enough though? Likely not.

Simply put, the Warriors are performing above expectation, while the Cowboys are a touch below. The question now then is - will this be the game where both sides performances reflect how they should be performing?

The Cowboys forwards are an impressive lot with varied skillsets which compliment their gameplan so well. Jason Taumalolo, Reuben Cotter and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown will be punching big holes in the Warriors middle defence, likely targeting the impressive Tohu Harris and Addin Fonua-Blake so as to minismise their offensive impact up front, while Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai will be running hard and strong lines on both edges.

Dearden and Townsend will also be handing rookie Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki a bevy of bombs and grubbers to try and create cheap scoring opportunities.

The Warriors wingers Edward Kosi and Marcelo Montoya need to support their rookie custodian all game to help take a lot of that pressure off him. But while Tuaupiki will be heavily tested, no one is under more pressure in this Warriors side than Shaun Johnson. The former Test half looks to have lost his explosive speed and step, his decision making is not as crisp as it used to be, his kick options are at times confused and he rarely takes the line on. With a predominantly defensive hooker, a rookie fullback and a ball running five-eighth, Johnson is largely playing a lone hand running the Warriors attack. Martin particularly needs to get more involved in the playmaking and kicking duties to take that pressure off his halfback, but also to make their attack less predictable and to spread out the defensive line.

Both sides have a number of changes coming into this clash. For the Cowboys, Peta Hiku and Scott Drinkwater have both been suspended and will miss this game. Their places in the side have been taken by Tomas Chester at Fullback and Gehamat Shibasaki at centre.

The Warriors will see Taine Tuaupiki make his NRL debut when he runs out at fullback, replacing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad who suffered a concussion last week. Jackson Ford will also be rested following a concussion, which will see Bunty Afoa starting at prop and Bayley Sironen being added to the bench.

Last meeting: Round 23 2022 - Cowboys 48 Warriors 4

Who to watch: Tohu Harris is a genuine superstar in this Warriors side, he does so much of the hard yakka in the middle and on the edges, while also proving to be a vital link man on the edge of the ruck, especially with his ability to attract multiple defenders, draw and pass. Expect him to target Shibasaki before giving Williame an overlap to work with.

Reuben Cotter and Jason Taumalolo are the two most dangerous ball running forwards in this game. They have a powerful running game but also good footwork at the line and good offloads, making them the biggest threats to the Warriors in this game. With the likes of Coen Hess and Valentine Holmes always loitering about looking for an offload, expect these four to have some impact just on the edges of the ruck.

Favourite: The Cowboys at home are always a tough prospect, even moreso when they are taking on a Warriors side that don't travel well.

My tip: Cowboys should be able to win comfortably here, however the backline changes could see this match played more prominently in the middle, thus keeping the scores a bit closer. The Warriors defence has been rather solid thus far. Cowboys by 10.

1. Tomas Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 18. Heilum Luki 19. Brendan Elliot

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Edward Kosi 18. Viliami Vailea 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Mitchell Barnett 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Tom Ale 22. Jazz Tevaga 20. Freddy Lussick

Referees: Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Nick Morel, Darian Furner; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;