Roar Guru
It’s getting into must win territory already for the North Queensland Cowboys, as they host the Cronulla Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium tonight. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 6.30pm AEST.
It’s been a torrid time for the Townsville club since the Origin period began, as they have lost their last four matches and will be desperate to avoid that becoming five.
Jonathan Thurston will not be rested as Matt Bowen aside; Neil Henry’s men are at full strength.
On the other hand, the Sharks have lost just once in the last eight weeks, and have the added luxury of captain Paul Gallen not being slapped with a post-origin suspension, as he was after game one.
Surprisingly, the Sharks actually have a winning record up north, having won 10 of the 16 meetings at 1300SMILES Stadium.
They enjoyed a win here last season, but the most recent meeting between the two sides was a 36-22 victory for the Cowboys at Shark Park.
Andrew Fifita will buoyed by both a strong showing in Origin two (probably the only NSW player who can be proud of Wednesday) and by his minimal involvement in the Sharks’ last outing.
Look for him to be heavily involved here.
Cowboys’ skipper Thurston hasn’t had the best of seasons so far this year, but he was at his brilliant best on Wednesday night, and North Queensland desperately need more of that from their diminutive playmaker.
The Sharks are looking to consolidate a top eight spot, and the Cowboys are just looking to pull away from Parramatta and St George-Illawarra at the bottom.
Join us just before 6.30pm AEST for all the team news and action.