The North Queensland Cowboys will need to improve tenfold on last week’s performance if they are to upstage a confident Brisbane Broncos line-up at Suncorp Stadium. Join us for live scores and blog from 8:30pm AEDT.
After making a mammoth 28 errors last week in their 18-nil loss to the Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland will be desperate to move on from one of the most disappointing performances in their 18-year history
Neil Henry’s men, however, will have to produce a complete form turnaround if they are to defeat a young Broncos side coming off a grinding victory against the Parramatta Eels away from home.
Despite failing to score in the first half, Brisbane still showed enough class in wet conditions to eventually prevail 18-6 in last week’s season opener.
Moreover, new halves pairing Peter Wallace and Corey Norman will have gained confidence after guiding the Broncos to victory against an Eels team that led six nil early on.
Prediction:
Although the Broncos have won eight of the past nine clashes against North Queensland, one suspects that the Cowboys will come to life and provide Brisbane with some defensive problems tonight.
Matthew Bowen and Johnathon Thurston in particular were dreadful against the Titans last week and will most likely come out all guns blazing against Brisbane in a bid to rectify their bad form.
For Bowen and Thurston to fire, however, the Cowboys will have to win the forward battle against a Brisbane unit boasting one of the most mobile packs in the NRL.
Broncos veteran Petero Civoniceva returns from suspension to further strengthen a pack containing Test and Origin stars Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannent, Ben Teo, Corey Parker and Matt Gillett, who all performed strongly last week.
The Cowboys will have to make do Queensland Origin prop Matthew Scott, who has made a habit of producing big performances against Brisbane.
In his last match against the Broncos, Scott made an impressive 164 metres from 13 hit-ups last season, and the Cowboys will be looking to him for inspiration upfront.
On paper the Cowboys certainly possess the strike power to beat Brisbane tonight, but a repeat of last week’s error riddled performance will see the Broncos put on a cricket score at home.
On current form, the Broncos deserve to be warm favourites and a fast start will likely see them prevail against North Queensland.
If Thurston, Bowen and Scott however come to life, then one fancies the Cowboys to pull off the upset.
Cowboys by seven.
Behold
Roar Rookie
yep agreed and even the lead up to that scrum where Beale knocked it on, Tate knocked it on first.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I thought all but Bowen's try at the death could have been controversial, and possibly denied. I think some looked at were wrong decisions. I have no doubt that Tates was knocked on by Graham. I thought it would be harsh to deny McGuire's try after half time, but the commentators were trying to make an argument for it. As I said, almost every try tonight could have gone the other way.
Mats
Guest
Thanks for keeping me up to date as I couldn't watch it. Nice work and go Cowboys!
Alan
Roar Guru
Just like the Roosters in round one, the Cowboys have scored a try at the death to seal a memorable 28-26 victory over rivals Brisbane. This was a great game of football with both teams scoring some terrific tries. Both teams however need to work on their ill discipline and ball handling if they are to have any hope of winning the premiership. That said, the attacking plays that both teams showed tonight will tear most defences to shreds. The way Thurston and Bowen combined for a try in the second half was brilliant to say the least. The Cowboys will get enormous confidence from that win given that they were so ordinary against the Titans a week earlier. Neil Henry can rest easy tonight. FULLTIME: Broncos 26 Cowboys 28 Thanks for joining us for this great QLD derby and we look forward to your company tomorrow on The Roar when NRL live blogging resumes. Please feel free to leave any comments on this great match.
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - Cowboys have defeated the Broncos 28-26 as Hodges fails to control the short kickoff from Parker. Broncos 26 Cowboys 28
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Thurston converts from infront and its 28-26 now. What a contest!!! Bowen has had a mixed bag tonight but he once again reminds us of his supreme attacking qualities here. He completely fooled the Brisbane defence with a dummy and he raced away and scored. Broncos 26 Cowboys 28
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY COWBOYS - Bowen scores his second try and the Cowboys might just have stolen this match from the Broncos.... Broncos 26 Cowboys 26
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Beale fails to defuse a Thompson bomb and the Cowboys get a great opportunity to win the match here... Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Wallace kicks deep and Winterstein regains possession for the Cowboys. Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Crowd of over 43,000 have attended this great contest. Cowboys lose possession however as Sims knocks the football on. Brisbane survive. Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Thompson with a nice grubber and he tackles Hoffman in-goal and forces the line drop-out. Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Parker loses possession on the halfway and the Cowboys will get an opportunity to score here with seven minutes remaining. Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Cowboys with possession now as this match approaches yet another enthralling climax... Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Cowboys need to maintain concentration here. The Broncos tore them up moments earlier and can ill afford to lose confidence in defence. Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Parker continues to kick nicely and its now 26-22 Brisbane. Broncos 26 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY BRONCOS - Wallace, Hoffman and Teo combine brilliantly to tear the Cowboys apart up the middle. Teo finishes the move off and scores the try that gives Brisbane the lead yet again. Broncos 24 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Cowboys with possession now as this match approaches the championship rounds here. Broncos 20 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Thurston kicks deep and Hoffman nearly makes a meal of it. Very lucky to get away with that. Broncos 20 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
65' - Thaiday has lost possession at the play the ball just when Brisbane had a massive overlap. Cowboys survive. Broncos 20 Cowboys 22
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Bowen has had a mixed game tonight. He scored a wondeful try earlier but he now produces yet another error. Brisbane on the attack now. Broncos 20 Cowboys 22