Matchday Details
Thursday, 16 April 2026 – 7:50pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Gerard Sutton | Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tom Chester 5. Zac Laybutt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Soni Luke 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Griffin Neame 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Viliami Vailea 19. Mason Barber 20. Harrison Edwards 21. Kaiden Lahrs 22. Robert Derby
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Nathan Brown 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jackson Shereb 21. Joey Walsh 22. Simione Laiafi
Match Preview
Two of the in‑form sides in the competition meet to open Round 7, as the Sea Eagles travel to Townsville to take on the Cowboys.
There are multiple changes for both sides, with Braidon Burns returning to the wing for the Cowboys, replacing Murray Taulagi, who is out with concussion. Soni Luke will start at hooker in place of Reed Mahoney, who also suffered a head knock last week, while Sam McIntyre and Viliami Vailea are the new faces on the extended bench.
For the Sea Eagles, Siosiua Taukeiaho will play his first game since Round 1 after overcoming a calf injury, while Nathan Brown has also been added to the extended bench.
The Cowboys have been one of the surprise teams of the season early, coming into this match sitting inside the top four with four wins and two losses. They beat the Broncos last week in one of the best games of the year, with Heilum Luki the hero after crossing for a late try to seal a 35–31 victory following a dramatic exchange of field goals late in the contest.
The Sea Eagles, meanwhile, have recovered after a disastrous start to the season, with Kieran Foran winning his first two games in charge after taking over from Anthony Seibold, who was let go following losses in the opening three rounds.
There are plenty of intriguing matchups right across the field, particularly in the forward packs. Jason Taumalolo is playing some of his best footy in some time, averaging 156 metres per game. He was nearly unstoppable in the win over the Broncos, with 19 runs for 241 metres in just 48 minutes.
For Manly, the focus will be on Haumole Olakau’atu continuing his red‑hot start to the season, as he is averaging 147 metres per game on the edge. He led all forwards again last week with 184 metres from 19 runs in the 28–18 win over the Dragons in Round 6.
It starts in the middle, and then it is up to the playmakers to get points on the board — a battle that may ultimately come down to the fullbacks. Tom Trbojevic has been near his best over the past fortnight, while Scott Drinkwater continues to excel after recording a try, a try assist and three line‑break assists last week. He will also play his 150th NRL game on Thursday night.
The Sea Eagles hold the advantage over the Cowboys in recent meetings, having won the last three games between the two sides, while also holding a 4–0 record at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Cowboys by 4
Bold call: The Cowboys steal it late again, with a try inside the final five minutes sealing victory.
Related
- NRL Round 7 Predictions
- NRL Round 7 Team Lists
- NRL Round 7 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
