The North Queensland Cowboys will be keen to keep their new-found form going when they travel to ANZ Stadium at Homebush to take on competition powerhouse the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join The Roar for our live scores and coverage from 6:45pm (AEST).
The Rabbitohs have been excellent and currently sit atop the NRL ladder with four wins and just the single loss, against the Parramatta Eels at Pirtek Stadium in Round 4.
As such there is no serious pressure on the Bunnies to win, but they will still want to knock the Cowboys over, particularly as coming into the season they were seen as one of the teams that could challenge the Rabbitohs for the premiership.
Three weeks into the season the Cowboys sat at the bottom of the table, without a win. Following their first three losses at the hands of the Roosters, the Knights and the Brisbane Broncos they have bounced back with a golden-point win against the Melbourne Storm and a solid victory against the Penrith Panthers last Monday night.
The Rabbitohs are faced with a devastating injury blow coming into this game, with Adam Reynolds expected to be sidelined for a number of months. Luke Keary will shift into the number 7 jersey and John Sutton will play 6.
In other news for the Rabbitohs Cameron McInnes and Nathan Brown come onto an extended six man interchange bench, although they would be expected to drop off that for the game as they did for last week’s game against the Bulldogs.
Menawhile, Glenn Hall is a chance to come back from injury for the Cowboys, after being named as the 18th man on an extended five-man interchange.
The battle of the front rows will have a huge influence on the result, seeing George Burgess and Dave Tyrell versus the State of Origin combination of Matt Scott and James Tamou. Tamou started the season out of form, but in the last few weeks has brought himself back to life. Whichever front row duo dominates, particularly in the opening 25 minutes, will set their team up nicely for the rest of the game.
Prediction
Cowboys by 6 in what should be a great game.
Join The Roar from 6:45pm (AEST) on Monday evening for our coverage of this clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys. Remember to leave your thoughts and comments throughout the game!
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Aye, it was a true indication of their newfound mental toughness. Roll with the punches on the field, there will be bad calls from time to time. But the important thing is to hit back with action rather than sit around blaming the referees or a "southern agenda". Three wins in a row at the former graveyard ANZ and two in a row in Sydney this year. They boys are on the charge and looking good. They should be in the top 8 after next week.
3 Hats
Guest
Bill Harrigan on triple M said....TRY Controversy against the Rabbitohs again. It should be 16-4 with the kick to come!
steveng
Roar Rookie
It will take a better effort than what Souths have put in last night and from the week before to beat any of the top teams. There are no excuse(s) that they can give after last night’s match. Souths cannot rely on Inglis, Reynolds, Walker and Johnston to win games especially when some of these players are injured and/or not 100% like Inglis. It was a good win by the Cowboys and Thurston is just a freak that continually pushes the Cowboys to their limit. It was a very disappointing effort by Souths overall but especially in the second half where they are one of the top teams, they can't blame their makeshift half's for last night’s effort. I know that Souths did the same thing last year between rounds 2-4 where they lost 3 in a row with their uncharacteristic efforts which this year will have to be seriously addressed by coach Maguire if Souths are to be a threat to the top sides and in winning the 2015 NRL competition.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Makes you feel good eh. Especially after the first 3 rounds. This is much better. All round much better.
Mas the man
Guest
Nth Qld were tremendous tonight in the second half. I think they were shaded in the first half but Souths literally ran out of petrol against a rampant Thurston. The Cows can thank James Graham for taking Reynolds out of the equation. (How he only got 1 week for almost breaking Reynold's leg is a mystery to all.) Souths cannot win without their play maker. I suppose if you reverse the situation and take out Thurston, they would be winless this year too. However, it's not their fault that Souths have no halfback. I think a match between these two teams at full strength will make up this year's grand final. They seem to be a cut above the rest of the teams. Maybe it will be the Cows' year after all?
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Shaun Johnson should give his Golden Boot to Thurston, everyone knows JT is the real best player in the world.
Jimmmy
Guest
What about JT. 2 . He must be the gun forward in the game at the moment. My God he is good. So glad he re-signed with the Cows. I always had respect for Morgan but it is really good to see the way he has adapted to no 6. I have never been a Coote fan but I will be very happy to be proved wrong.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
What made that win particularly more sweet was that it was against dubious decisions from the first half. What better way to take the ref out of the equation than to score on the first set after half time. Outstanding.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Grevsmuhl was really good for Souths tonight.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Huh!
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Little unfair given they've been playing without some key guys, but not entirely unwarranted. Tbh Souths other than round 1 simply haven't looked dominant, and other than their recent spell of injuries there hasn't been much reason for it. Roosters seem hit and miss. Best we keep in mind though that they don't hand out premierships until the first weekend of October. I'm tipping Broncs cows rabbits roosters storm and dogs as finals bound. Not in that order but I believe atm these six are the most likely. Broncs are nearly halfway to locking up a spot already with 5 wins. I'm not saying Penrith won't make it but they're injury toll is getting worse every week and unlike last year they aren't still winning comfortably without them. (Manly doesn't count as a comfortable win the way they're going atm)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hmm well that was supposed to read flat
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Sounds like Grehvsmul is going to be around for a long while, injury gods permitting. Still a very satisfying win for NQ.
Steve
Guest
Rabbits were always going to struggle without Reynolds. Thurston is playing out of his skin and when his forwards are dominating they are very hard to stop.
Benny
Guest
Theyre definitely less dominant than last year but I think the roosters will click at some stage. Theyve been without Fergo, Friend and Guerra who have all been in good form and the latter two especially are crucial to the team. I can't see the Broncos being top 2 though, theyll drop off during origin. Dogs and Panthers are not going well but will have a good post-origin period I think. Much less obvious than it was last year but I think those top 4 will be Cows, Roosters, Broncos, Rabbits
Scott Pryde
Expert
Roosters and Rabbitohs for mine may not make the top 4.
Scott Pryde
Expert
They were great tonight.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well that wraps up the Roar's live coverage of Monday Night Football between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys which the Cowboys have taken out convincingly. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage tonight! Be sure to keep coming back to the Roar for all the best analysis and live commentary of games. Hope to see you next weekend! Enjoy the rest of your night.
Jimmmy
Guest
I have waited a long time to see the Cows play that well. Two wins away from home, our forwards on top of the Rabbits pack and just marvelling at the skill of JT. That game has made my season.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Man of the match is JONATHON THURSTON