The pressure is on the North Queensland Cowboys to register a win tonight but the South Sydney Rabbitohs will prove difficult opposition given their strong position on the NRL ladder. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
North Queensland’s poor form away from home continued on Monday night, falling to wooden spoon contenders Newcastle in a high scoring game.
The Cowboys however have been very impressive of late playing at home and will once again need to show up with their best footy against South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs are starting to click into gear following a slow start to the season but they too will need a complete performance to keep the Cowboys at bay away from home.
With both teams desperate for a win, tonight’s contest could end up being a tight but entertaining affair. The Rabbitohs have performed strongly in defence this season but face a good test against a North Queensland side with plenty of points in them.
Johnathon Thurston needs to fire for the Cowboys after an indifferent past few weeks for the Origin and Test half. His form since Origin 1 hasn’t been too good and he will need to rise to the occasion against the Rabbitohs tonight.
With Matt Scott missing upfront due to injury, the Cowboys may also have a tough time containing a South Sydney pack that is beginning to dominate thanks to the performances of the Burgess brothers, particularly Sam and George.
NSW Origin forward James Tamou really needs a strong game upfront if the Cowboys hope to match the Rabbitohs upfront.
Overall, this contest is a tricky one to predict. The Cowboys have been weakened thanks to the absence of Brent Tate and Scott but they have been very strong at home in recent matches.
With the top eight still within reach, the Cowboys may just scrap home in a very tight contest.
Cowboys by 4
Bulldog
Guest
At game. Refs are embarrassing
Renegade
Guest
Every game this round has gone down to the wire and I've managed to keep a perfect round somehow haha. 4 from 4, killing it!
Clark Dobbin
Guest
What a joke
Alan
Roar Guru
Great win for the Cowboys here. Right up there with one of their best this season. They dug deep in the second half and survived many sets on their line but they got home. Thurston very strong tonight as were the Sims brothers upfront. Rona came up with two great plays in the lead-up to two of Wright's tries for the Cowboys. In the end, the Cowboys just wanted it more. Bunnies fought back strongly in the second half but they fall short. This is a great result for the Roosters by the way hahahahah Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Ashton sims man of the match...
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Cowboys running down the clock here. Six to go for the Cowboys. Time will beat the bunnies. Cowboys secure a great win at home yet again!!!!! FULLTIME Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Cowboys on the attack. Time on their side here. They need this win. Bunnies on the defensive. Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Cowboys get a huge penalty now for a high tackle on Wright! Cowboys with another chance to seal the deal Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - What a huge call there. Burgess lost the footy there but the ref waved play on. Burgess fumbled Lui's kick. Morgan now back with possession Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
Rona goes for the corner!!! He is short just! Bunnies on the ropes! Gee desperate defence there! Lui with a kick and its knocked on by Burgess surely! Play on! WOW Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
Ashton Sims with a great hit on Goodwin to force the error. Bang! That is a big play in defence by Sims. Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Bunnies lose possession now. Goodwin with the error. Cowboys right on the attack again... Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Cowboys right on the attack. Bunnies have to survive here. Next try will win it. Thurston with the kick and the ball goes dead. Bunnies survive! Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Cowboys get six to go here. Now the Cowboys with a chance to attack and perhaps seal the deal here... Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Cowboys really need to hold on here. Reynolds with the kick and Rona with possession Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Cowboys on the attack for the first time in a while. Bunnies need to be alert. Thurston with the kick and Merritt gathers possession Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Huge set this one for the Cowboys defensively. Bunnies right on the attack. Sutton with a left foot step. Cowboys surviving. Little kick in-behind and the Cowboys get the tap! Well done Cowboys Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18
Vivalasvegan
Guest
That will do me... refs deciding too many game. That was a 40-20... Tamou is a shadow of his former self...
Planko
Guest
Big set this that call in the 40/20 was big
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Reynolds goes high with the bomb and Winterstein knocks on! Bunnies on the attack now...Rabbitohs with a chance to hit the lead. Cowboys 20 Rabbitohs 18