Cowboys v Knights preview

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North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights Saturday 7:35pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

A Saturday night battle in Townsville will see the Cowboys looking to bounce back to form as they play host to the Newcastle Knights who were brave in defeat last week against the Panthers.

The Cowboys are suffering big time from second year syndrome based on their form this season looking nothing like the defensive strongholds they were last year. The North Queenslanders have only won two of their opening seven matches and could quickly stare at as many losses within 10 rounds as they did in the whole of 2022. The Cowboys are on a three match losing streak and need to snap things quickly.

Last week, the Cowboys fell to a 22-14 defeat to the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland in a performance that could only be described with the words atrocious attack. The Warriors were gifting the game to the North Queenslanders continually with errors but directionless attack from the Cowboys put zero pressure on the home side and then gifted the Warriors their own opportunities that were taken.

The Cowboys chances of jumping back to form have taken a hit with star second rower Jason Taumalolo having to undergo knee surgery during the week. Reuben Cotter is named at lock which could be a ploy given Coach Todd Payten's habit of changing his team significantly come game day.

Inconsistency has been something that has plagued the Newcastle Knights but despite this they have been one of the surprise packets of the season with three wins and three losses to go with their draw against Manly. The Knights have found form in recent weeks with 2 wins and a draw prior to last week's golden point loss against the Panthers where it can be argued they were unlucky to lose.

Despite being the better team for the majority of the contest last week, the Newcastle Knights were yet another team that fell victim to the boot of Nathan Cleary when the Novocastrians fell to a 16-15 Golden Point defeat. The better team for most of the contest, the Knights weren't able to seal the game and could be considered unlucky given they weren't able to touch the ball during golden point.

The Knights are getting a major boost this weekend with the return of star five-eighth Kalyn Ponga who will also play his 100th game. The return of Ponga into the side sees Tyson Gamble move back to the bench. Another boost for the Knights is the return of Jacob Saifiti from his long suspension onto the bench.

Last meeting: Round 9 2022 - Cowboys 36 Knights 16

Who to watch: The directionless attack from the Cowboys needs to change quickly and it's going to be up to halfback Chad Townsend to make the changes. The experience number 7 has been poor and looks bereft of ideas in attack once plan A fails. Townsend needs to get his ideas going quickly or he could be on the outside of the team.

Returning to the side, the focus on Kalyn Ponga is going to be huge not for his profile but more for the fact that the Knights have been public about trying to find a spot on the field to hide Ponga. The amount of impact that Ponga has is going to be key and the fragilities he can show in defence could hurt him and Newcastle especially with his issues.

The favourite: The Cowboys are favourites for the contest which is based on the fact of their solid record and returning to Townsville.

My tip: The Cowboys have been playing too poorly recently to even consider tipping them even being back at home. The Knights arguably should have won against the Panthers last weekend and their form prior was strong as well, the question will be how well do they travel. Knights by 8.

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jeremiah Nanai 15. Jake Granville 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Tomas Chester 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Mitchell Dunn 18. Riley Price

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 14. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Kurt Mann 6. Kalyn Ponga 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mathew Croker 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Simi Sasagi

Referees: Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials: Darian Furner, Phil Henderson; Video Referees: Grant Atkins;