Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys highlights: Tigers by 12

Roar Guru

7th August, 2016

2979 Reads

Kickoff: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Cowboys 8-0 Tigers (Round 11, 2015)
Head-to-head: 31 played – Wests Tigers 16, Cowboys 15
Wests Tigers' last three games: 23-8 versus Eels, 25-12 versus Dragons, 22-32 versus Bulldogs
Cowboys' last three games: 8-16 versus Storm, 36-0 versus Bulldogs, 12-26 versus Raiders

Wests Tigers
1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Tim Simona, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jordan Rankin, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Jack Littlejohn, 8. Aaron Woods (c), 9. Dene Halatau, 10. Sauaso Sue, 11. Josh Aloiai, 12. Chris Lawrence, 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Kyle Lovett, 15. Ava Seumanufagai, 16. Tim Grant, 17. Joel Edwards, 18. Michael Chee-Kam

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Javid Bowen, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Ray Thompson, 8. Matthew Scott (c), 9. Jake Granville, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn, 15. John Asiata, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Ben Hannant

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The Cowboys and Tigers face off in a classic Saturday night encounter. (Digital Image Grant Trouville © nrlphotos.com).

Riley Pettigrew

Roar Guru

7th August, 2016

139

2979 Reads

Match result:

The Wests Tigers have taken a vital win in their quest to play finals, defeating the North Queensland Cowboys by 12 points.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Tigers 26
Cowboys 14

Match preview:

The Wests Tigers have a big challenge on their hands in their charge toward the finals as they host the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval. Join The Roar from 4pm (AEST) for live coverage.

Jason Taylor’s team sit equal eighth, alongside the Warriors and Panthers, and could go as high as seventh if they win and results go their way.

Mitchell Moses’ attacking brilliance has come to the fore in recent weeks, while Elijah Taylor and Chris Lawrence have been making big metres and putting in 80-minute performances.

Moses is set to line up against Johnathan Thurston, with the champion halfback tipped to return from a hamstring injury sustained a fortnight ago against the Bulldogs.

The return of Thurston would boost the Cowboys’ chances immensely, with a tight battle for places inside the top four at the moment, although if the skipper does not play, Ray Thompson will fill in alongside Michael Morgan in the halves.

Thompson was unable to help string a win together last week against the Storm, with the reigning premiers going down 16-8 in Townsville.

Their monstrous forward pack are almost certain to be more dominant, however the Tigers are not to be underestimated, with two strong wins on the trot.

In 31 meetings since 2000, encounters between the two clubs have been relatively equal, with 16 wins to the Tigers and 15 to North Queensland.

Last time they met, in Round 11 last year, the Cowboys secured an 8-0 victory.

Prediction
Mitchell Moses will lead his side to a narrow win over a quality Cowboys outfit.

Wests Tigers by 2.

Join The Roar from 4pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.

You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew

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