NRL Match Previews - Cowboys v Knights (Round 20)

  vs  
24-07-2010 07:30PM at Dairy Farmers Stadium

Referee: Steve Lyons and Chris James
Touch Judges: Clayton Sharpe and Gavin Reynolds
Referee: Phil Cooley

Somehow, whilst playing as bad as they have been, the Cowboys still provide hope that they will play an entertaining brand of football. This hope is all that the lovely people of Townsville will have apart from wishing for a quick and painless end to this abominable season. Speaking of which, they face the Knights on Saturday night in a match destined for Fox Sports' 9.30pm timeslot.

Completion rates will be low, errors high, tries soft and Luke O'Donnell angry in this one as the competition's cellar dwellers play for pride and not much else. The Cowboys forwards seem to have a little more firepower and that should be enough to give Jonathan Thurston space to work some magic. He does so by linking up nicely with the increasingly impressive Arana Taumata and old mate Matt Bowen.

My Man of the Match Prediction: Johnathan Thurston
My Tip: Cowboys 30-20

The Teams

North Queensland Cowboys               Newcastle Knights
Suspensions A. Watts Injuries J. Williams S. Southern M. Achuch R. Thompson	1. Matt Bowen Fullback 1. Kurt Gidley 2. Ashley Graham Wing 2. Akuila Uate 3. Arana Taumata Centre 3. Junior Sau 4. Willie Tonga Centre 4. Adam MacDougall 5. Will Tupou Wing 5. James McManus 6. Grant Rovelli Five Eighth 6. Ben Rogers 7. Johnathan Thurston Halfback 7. Jarrod Mullen 8. Matthew Scott Prop 8. Ben Cross 9. Aaron Payne Hooker 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Willie Mason Prop 10. Daniel Tolar 11. Scott Bolton Second Row 11. Zeb Taia 12. Leeson Ah Mau Second Row 12. Cameron Ciraldo 13. Luke O'Donnell Lock 13. Matt Hilder 14. Anthony Watts Interchange 14. Wes Naiqama 15. Dane Hogan Interchange 15. Con Mika 16. Carl Webb Interchange 16. Richard Fa'aoso 17. James Tamou Interchange 17. Antonio Kaufusi	Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries M. Karawana E. Tuimavave S. Simpson

Head to Head

LeagueUnlimited Tipsters - Courtesy of www.MyTips.com.au

DragonPunk
(Justin Davies)

Knights


Total Score
160

Non Terminator
(Josh Hill)

Knights


Total Score
146

Twizzle
(Kevin Brennan)

Knights


Total Score
144

CobyDelaney
(Coby Delaney)

Knights


Total Score
132

Willow
(Steve Williams)

Knights


Total Score
128

Other Games this Round

• Canterbury Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium
• St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans at WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah
• Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sutherland Sharks at Canberra Stadium
• Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park, Melbourne
• North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights at Dairy Farmers Stadium
• South Sydney Rabbitohs v New Zealand Warriors at ANZ Stadium
• Manly Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
• Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium