Cowboys v Wests Tigers NRLW preview

North Queensland Cowboys (W) v Wests Tigers (W) Saturday 11:05am at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Saturday morning NRLW action returns to Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville as the Cowboys look to keep their finals hopes alive up against the winless Wests Tigers who are looking to come off the bottom of the ladder.

Sitting in seventh on the NRLW ladder, the Cowboys sit just two points outside the top four on six points with three wins from their six matches. The season so far for the Townsville side has been inconsistent at best with some strong wins mixed with some poor results in 2024.

The Cowboys last week showed why they sit just outside the top four after their 38-12 defeat against the Brisbane Broncos in Brisbane last week. Opening the scoring first and then getting scores back to 12 all, the Cowboys didn't seem to be any match in the second half as the Broncos stepped up a gear for a 20-0 second half to go down 38-12.

Injuries have forced the North Queenslanders into a number of team changes with China Polata and Lily Peacock both ruled out though Polata has been named in the reserves. Tallisha Harden comes into the starting side at prop whilst Shaniah Power comes into the second row. In other changes, Essay Banu has been named to start with Harata Butler benched whilst Vitalina Naikore comes back into the side on the wing with Fran Goldthorp back to fullback.

The Wests Tigers had promise of a good season, but sadly injuries and bad luck have cruelled their fate somewhat in 2024 as they sit last on the NRLW ladder as the only side yet to win a single match this season. The concern for the Tigers though is not that they are yet to win a game but how they have lost the games outside of their two point loss to Parramatta, the Tigers are yet to be beaten by a margin smaller than 16 points.

Last week, the Tigers had the tough task of heading to the Hunter to take on duel defending premiers the Newcastle Knights where they were easily handled by the Novocastrians in a 34-6 defeat including a 26-0 first half. The joint venture side were completely outplayed and had no answers other than a lone second half try to Ebony Prior.

The Tigers have mixed their team around again with Rikeya Horne and Leianne Tufuga returning to the side as the pair take their spots in the centres. Shianne McGlone comes into the side in the second row whilst Ebony Prior comes into the side at hooker.

Last meeting: Round 4 2023 - Cowboys 16 Wests Tigers 12

Who to watch: Whilst it's always typical to go to the halves, this game is going to be where all eyes are focused especially on Kirra Dibb for the Cowboys. The North Queensland halfback has had a good season if not a little underwhelming as she's had just six try assists in six matches and three line break assists as well. The Cowboys need Dibb's control to get past the Tigers.

Experienced Tigers half Pauline Piliae-Rasabale has had a decent season for a young Tigers side as she tries to bring her experience in both Rugby Union and Rugby League to the Wests Tigers. The joint venture side is going to need her experience in the long Townsville road trip to control the game and partner with Losana Lutu to get their first win of the season.

The favourite: The Cowboys are big favourites at home.

My tip: Whilst the Cowboys have been inconsistent, the Tigers haven't delivered much this season and it's hard to think that they would do anything at all this week on the road to Townsville.  The Cowboys have found their form at home and I think should have enough to beat the Tigers with some ease. Cowboys by 16.

1. Francesca Goldthorp 2. Vitalina Naikore 3. Jakiya Whitfeld 4. Jasmine Peters 5. Lavinia Tauhalaliku 6. Tahlulah Tillett 7. Kirra Dibb 16. Sareka Mooka 9. Emma Manzelmann 10. Essay Banu 11. Shaniah Power 12. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 13. Bree Chester 8. Tallisha Harden 14. Jetaya Faifua 15. Lillian Yarrow 22. Shellie Long 18. Krystal Blackwell

1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Tiana-Lee Thorne 6. Pauline Piliae 4. Rikeya Horne 5. Rebecca Pollard 18. Evie Mcgrath 7. Losana Lutu 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Ebony Prior 10. Christian Pio 11. Brooke Talataina 12. Montana Clifford 13. Najvada George 14. Shaianne McGlone 15. Tara Reinke 16. Natasha Penitani 17. Chelsea Savill 19. Claudia Nielsen