Matchday Details
Friday, 8th May – 8:00pm (AEST) – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Braidon Burns, 3. Jaxon Purdue, 4. Tom Chester, 5. Zac Laybutt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Tom Dearden (c), 8. Coen Hess, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Jason Taumalolo, 11. Heilum Luki, 12. Sam McIntyre, 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Soni Luke, 15. Griffin Neame, 16. Thomas Mikaele, 17. Matthew Lodge, 18. Xavier Kerrisk, 19. Mason Barber, 20. Kai O’Donnell, 21. Kaiden Lahrs, 22. Robert Derby
Parramatta Eels: 1. Joash Papalii, 2. Brian Kelly, 3. Jordan Samrani, 4. Sean Russell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ronald Volkman, 7. Mitchell Moses (c), 8. Luca Moretti, 9. Tallyn Da Silva, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Jack Williams, 13. Jack De Belin, 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Saxon Pryke, 16. Toni Mataele, 17. Charlie Guymer, 18. Apa Twidle, 19. Teancum Brown, 20. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, 21. Araz Nanva, 22. Lorenzo Talataina
Match Preview
The quietly flying Cowboys take on the struggling Eels at home, with a win making it seven from their first 10 — an impressive record for an initially “under pressure” Todd Payten. Meanwhile, the visitors have been struck by even more injuries and will be desperately hoping some luck falls their way this week.
The Cowboys are not a team receiving a lot of plaudits: however, they currently sit sixth with six wins and have looked more impressive with each passing week. The more wins a side can string together early in the season, the easier the job becomes later on. Their opposition could not be in a more contrasting position: with three wins to date, the Eels have struggled, particularly with an increasingly severe injury toll. They have been brave, but outgunned in recent weeks, with their younger players not yet matching the level of their opponents.
The home side has just one change, with Sam McIntyre coming into the team to replace the injured Jeremiah Nanai. Meanwhile, the Eels will move Tallyn Da Silva into the starting side to replace the injured Ryley Smith, while Jordan Samrani shifts into the centres to cover for the injured Will Penisini.
The Cowboys possess significant grunt up front, which has consistently laid the platform for an exciting backline. As the Warriors did last week, look for Coen Hess, Jason Taumalolo, and Reuben Cotter to out-muscle the opposition forwards, with the Eels pack regularly beaten on first contact last week. Reed Mahoney should find tired defenders around the ruck in the latter stages of each half and cause all sorts of trouble. From there, players like Scott Drinkwater and emerging talent Jaxon Purdue should have ample opportunity to capitalise and put points on.
For the Eels, the game plan remains simple: complete, defend, and compete. Last week, they managed this for large stretches and fought against the odds to stay in the contest. However, a couple of errors undid their hard work and handed too much quality ball to a strong opposition. If they repeat that pattern, they will not be winning. They need to out-enthuse their opponents for the full 80 minutes, because, overall, their squad is simply too depleted to compete otherwise. With Origin approaching, captain Mitch Moses will need to find his best form and lift those around him.
Taumalolo is set to become the most capped Cowboy of all time, which will undoubtedly provide added motivation for his teammates. The Eels will not die wondering, but should ultimately be out-muscled in this contest.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Cowboys by 10.
Bold call: Jaxon Purdue to score the first try.
Related
- NRL Round 9 Review
- NRL Round 10 Predictions
- NRL Round 10 Team Lists
- NRL Round 10 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
