The North Queensland Cowboys have cemented their premiership credentials with a big win against the Parramatta Eels on Monday night.
Eight tries to the Cowboys, with the sharp-shooting Johnathan Thurston converting seven saw the home side rack up a mammoth total of 46 points, while the Eels managed just the single try to Reece Robinson.
Final Score:
Cowboys 46
Eels 4
Speaking post-match Parramatta coach Brad Arthur was disappointed in the final scoreline and said it was an unfair reflection of the match.
“I don’t think we were that bad and I don’t think they were that good,” he said.
“When you only have 35 per cent possession it’s just hard to keep defending and defending against such a class outfit.
“They tried hard. But we’re not happy with the end result.”
Cowboys coach Paul Green was pleased at notching up the club’s biggest win of the season but conceded it was not without fault.
“It probably took us a bit longer than we would have liked to really get into the groove,” he said.
“But once we did, I was pretty happy with how we played.”
With AAP
It was all smiles for the Cowboys on Monday night:
The Cowboys are looking good for a serious tilt at a premiership in 2015, and their next task in the push for a top two finish is the struggling Eels. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:00pm (AEST).
North Queensland have been threatening to go all the way for a few seasons now, but it seems like 2015 may finally be the year that they put it all together. Johnathan Thurston has this team clicking on all cylinders right now, and it doesn’t look like anyone will stop them at their current form.
A strong win over Manly at Brookvale last weekend pushed their top four credentials, but the Cowboys still have much bigger fish to fry. A big win over the Eels would not only keep the pressure on the competition-leading Broncos, but it would maintain a two-game lead on the third place Roosters.
Parramatta have been a team in turmoil this year, and this is displayed by their 11th position on the NRL ladder. They’ve just granted an immediate release to halfback Chris Sandow, and the news that both Anthony Watmough and Danny Wicks are out for the season has all but ended Parramatta’s finals chances. However, a surprise win over the Cowboys would put the Eels firmly back in finals contention, and they’ll be looking for revenge after their Round 13 capitulation against the same squad.
North Queensland have one massive in for this game, as James Tamou returns from his Origin suspension. Ben Hannant will return to the bench, meaning that Sam Hoare is named in the 18 jersey. Matt Scott and Matthew Wright both had injury clouds over them this weekend, but they both look set to play.
The Eels have made numerous changes for this game. Reece Robinson returns from a broken cheekbone at fullback, replacing the injured Corey Norman. Joseph Paulo will move into the halves, while Luke Kelly replaces the suspended and released Chris Sandow. David Gower replaces Anthony Watmough at lock, while Daniel Alvaro comes onto the bench for Danny Wicks. Isaac De Gois also takes his spot on the bench, with Cody Nelson named in the 18 jersey.
Prediction
This could be a bloodbath. North Queensland looked very good last weekend, and the return of James Tamou should see them get even better. Parramatta will be happy to escape with anything less than a 20-point loss.
Cowboys by 26
steveng
Roar Rookie
Come on 'Parrafan' you might be an avid eels supporter and yes the things that you say are very true, but, Arthur didn't give Sandow a chance, that was especially apparent when he put him (after he got dropped and had a spell in the Wentworthville comp) at fullback in the rain (how stupid is that) and put Luke Kelly at half (who btw is not as good or as creative as Sandow), when he had Reece Robinson (who is the eels top fullback and one of the best) to pick from, and what happened after that game to Sandow, everyone criticised him 'that he had a shocker' blah blah blah and they put more uncertainty into Sandow. But Arthur made allot of mistakes throughout 2015 with the eels and that is why the eels are in the position that they are and will be for a long time to come, if Arthur doesn't change his coaching style and gets more creative with his players. The Sandow tenure is over at the eels and there no more that we can or should criticise him about, he will do very well in Super League in England.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Slow first 60 by the Cowboys but came home strong to blow away the eels. Taumalolo was devastating in the minutes he was on and the team played really well across the park. Everyone is just doing their job and its great to watch. Granville was also outstanding and his running game was great to watch. Amazing to think they could have had both Granville and Segeyaro playing hooker but I guess since they have similar style games its good for Rory to come on to settle things down. On this form it would be a massive disappointment not to make the GF.
Parrafan
Guest
We haven't heard that doom and gloom story before steveng. Sack arthur then what? Replace him with Rick Stone. Sandow asked for a release, but wasn't initially given it. He then went and tanked in the next game. I love Sandow. When he's on fire there isn't many more entertaining players. Sadly that only happens 2 or 3 times a year. The Eels have had fourteen, yes 14 players from there top 25 unavailable over the last 6 rounds but have won 3 from 6. Last night we had 10 first graders out, including just about all our middle forwards. It's no wonder the cowboys smacked us around the ruck.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Well they (and especially Arthur) got rid of Sandow, who will be next? In my book, Arthur should be next as he has done nothing all year and he caused most of the damage at the eels. Its all downhill from here for the eels.
Parrafan
Guest
the cowboys beat Wenty magpies tonight. At least you can say one thing, no eels player tanked tonight. They tried, they were just awful in that last 20.
Shades Carter
Roar Rookie
The Eels were also missing much of their forward pack as well, but tonights game for them, they were hopeless, well after the failed Tangairaki TRY anyway.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Is it safe to say sandow wasn't the problem? Well, only problem
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Sorry about this folks, my Internet has quit on me, so i won't be able to finish the game up.
steveng
Roar Rookie
The eels will get thrashed after that defensive effort, hopeless!
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
54' Pauli Pauli drops it on the first play from the scrum, so the Cowboys are off the hook. Cowboys 16 Eels 4
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
53' Kelly tripped over the ball trying to trap it dead, but he's got enough time to recover. The Eels come to the left side, and they have an overlap. Robinson looks to be through, but his last pass is deflected away by O'Neill. That's twice the Cowboys have gotten away with one. Cowboys 16 Eels 4
steveng
Roar Rookie
The eels look a chance here
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
53' Kelly forces a line drop out, as he rolls a perfectly weighted ball into the in-goal. Coote is forced to chest it dead. Cowboys 16 Eels 4
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
51' Good tackle De Gois, as he chops Asiata down. Last play, and Thurston will try to spread the ball, but Coote has knocked on. The Eels will get another opportunity here. Cowboys 16 Eels 4
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
50' Can the Eels pull one back here? They'll try the right side, where Pauli goes on another strong run. Now the left side, but Gower is caught at the 20. Last play now, and Kelly goes with a stabbing kick. It's too deep, and there's no pressure on O'Neill. Cowboys 16 Eels 4
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
49' Good run from Scott, as he runs straight at Peats. The Cowboys will try a play down the short side, but there's no space for Bolton to take advantage of. Now Morgan drops the ball under pressure, and the Eels will have fairly good field position. Cowboys 16 Eels 4
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
48' Considering Takairangi should have scored inside the first two minutes, that's a heart breaker for Parramatta. Kelly kicks off (more conventionally this time), and Hannant brings it back with interest. Cowboys 16 Eels 4
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Cowboys 16 Eels 4
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY COWBOYS 46' The Cowboys have good field position here, as Scott takes them inside the 30. They come to the left side, and Linnett is dragged down. Now the right side, where Thurston sends it inside to Bolton. They'll come to the short side again, but Coote can't get himself over the line. Now Kostjasyn has a go from dummy-half, and that's the softest try you'll ever see. Cowboys 14 Eels 4
steveng
Roar Rookie
Gee that's 'poor defence' by the eels, they are giving the game to the Cowboys.