The North Queensland Cowboys host the South Sydney Rabbitohs at 1300Smiles Stadium in Townsville on Saturday night, with the Round 16 action kicking off at 7:30pm (AEST).
The Rabbitohs are sitting pretty, currently third on the NRL ladder following four wins on the trot. They look to have cemented their place in the top four, and could move to top spot if other results fall their way in Round 16.
South Sydney got to sit back and rest up following Origin week, so will enter this match nice and fresh, as opposed to the Cowboys who come in off a five day break following Monday night football.
Before the bye, the Rabbitohs flexed their mucsles against the Wests Tigers running our out 32-10 victors.
The Cowboys on the other hand will be looking to return to the winners list after a disappointing loss to the Knights on Monday night.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COWBOYS MONDAY NIGHT CLASH WITH THE KNIGHTS HERE.
That match cemented their reputation as a terrible travelling side – even against the cellar-dwelling Knights who were down in the dumps after five straight losses, they could not notch up a road win.
This match however is at home for the Cowboys. The ground at which they have registered all of their six wins for the season.
They will draw some confidence from the memory of the last time they met the Rabbitohs, in Round 21 last season – a game also played in Townsville, and a game the Cowboys won 30 to 12.
With their season slipping away, Thurston and his Cowboys will need to buck up and show some fight against a Rabbitohs outfit that have been producing some slick play in recent times.
Venue: 1300Smiles Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30pm (AEST)
Form: Cowboys (LLWLW), Rabbitohs (WWWWL)
TV: Fox Sports (LIVE)
Betting: Cowboys $2.65, Rabbitohs $1.50
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the Cowboys vs Rabbitohs clash from 7:30pm (AEST) on Saturday.
Joel
Guest
Morgan at 6
Marldon
Guest
The Cowboys are a complete enigma. Why they play so badly at times is a complete mystery. Lets hope JT can get over his hangover and make this a real cracker.
up in the north
Guest
I'm considering starting a petition to find JT's mojo.
Parrafan
Guest
Cowboys are my special tip this week. As long as they are playing at home they will do well, regardless of injuries.
tigerdave
Guest
D day for the Boys isn't it. They have to play the Rabbits twice in the run down to the finals. They are seriously hanging in the balance of the eight.To balance they play the Sharls twice as well. They have a reasonably easy run home, but they are playing like a seide most would pencil in as a win. Personally I don't think they can beat the Rabbits but they need to perform a lot better than their woeful performance against Newcastle. Newcastle hardly played a great game, they played the game the Cows let them play. Without Scott and Tate, they look fairly ordinary. Thurston back in at 7 seems a good move bit Loui at 6, is putting their problem one further from the ruck in defence and attack.