In what shapes to be another enthralling Queensland derby, both teams will be desperate to gain some momentum following slow starts to their seasons.
Although the Broncos prevailed 10-2 in last week’s clash against the Sharks, their performance proved they still have a long way to go if they are to be taken seriously as contenders come September.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, have thus far failed to live up to their pre-season hype, going down in consecutive home games against the Roosters and the Knights.
Key points
Lachlan Coote finally gets his first game for the Cowboys after signing for the club in September of 2013. His combination with halfback and captain Johnathan Thurston will be a key factor in North Queensland’s chances of winning.
Incumbent fullback Michael Morgan will move to five-eighth, with Robert Lui becoming the first casualty of the Cowboy’s disappointing start to the season, being dropped from the side.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has named an unchanged line-up from the side that defeated the Sharks in a dour contest last Friday night.
History
The Cowboys have won just over 25 per cent of the clashes between the two clubs since their inception in 1995.
Despite their poor track record overall against the Broncos, North Queensland have won six from the last 10 games between the two sides, including a 32-20 defeat in Week 1 of last year’s Finals Series.
Broncos (coach: Wayne Bennett)
1. Jordan Kahu
2. Corey Oates
3. Jack Reed
4. Justin Hodges (C)
5. Lachlan Maranta
6. Anthony Milford
7. Ben Hunt
8. Josh McGuire
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Adam Blair
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Corey Parker
Interchange
14. Jarrod Wallace
15. Joe Ofahengaue
16. Sam Thaiday
17. Kodi Nikorima
Cowboys (Coach: Paul Green)
1. Lachlan Coote
2. Justin O’Neill
3. Matthew Wright
4. Kane Linnett
Kyle Feldt
6. Michael Morgan
7. Johnathan Thurston (C)
8. Matthew Scott (C)
9. Rory Kostjasyn
10. Ben Hannant
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Ethan Lowe
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. Jake Granville
15. Kelepi Tanginoa
16. Scott Bolton
17. James Tamou
Tip: Expect Thurston and his troops to bounce back in a big way against their Queensland rivals by a margin of 1-12.
Brisbane Broncos (11th) versus North Queensland Cowboys (14th)
Time: 7:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Telecast: LIVE on Channel Nine (Queensland), DEL 9:30pm (NSW)
The odds: Broncos $1.90, Cowboys $1.90
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