The Wests Tigers have taken a vital win in their quest to play finals, defeating the North Queensland Cowboys by 12 points.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Tigers 26
Cowboys 14
The Wests Tigers have a big challenge on their hands in their charge toward the finals as they host the North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval. Join The Roar from 4pm (AEST) for live coverage.
Jason Taylor’s team sit equal eighth, alongside the Warriors and Panthers, and could go as high as seventh if they win and results go their way.
Mitchell Moses’ attacking brilliance has come to the fore in recent weeks, while Elijah Taylor and Chris Lawrence have been making big metres and putting in 80-minute performances.
Moses is set to line up against Johnathan Thurston, with the champion halfback tipped to return from a hamstring injury sustained a fortnight ago against the Bulldogs.
The return of Thurston would boost the Cowboys’ chances immensely, with a tight battle for places inside the top four at the moment, although if the skipper does not play, Ray Thompson will fill in alongside Michael Morgan in the halves.
Thompson was unable to help string a win together last week against the Storm, with the reigning premiers going down 16-8 in Townsville.
Their monstrous forward pack are almost certain to be more dominant, however the Tigers are not to be underestimated, with two strong wins on the trot.
In 31 meetings since 2000, encounters between the two clubs have been relatively equal, with 16 wins to the Tigers and 15 to North Queensland.
Last time they met, in Round 11 last year, the Cowboys secured an 8-0 victory.
Prediction
Mitchell Moses will lead his side to a narrow win over a quality Cowboys outfit.
Wests Tigers by 2.
Join The Roar from 4pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
They'll lose one or two games and the song and dance will start. The board should've backed Taylor's decision from the start.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The last 3 weeks certainly looked to have vindicated Taylor.
P Air
Guest
That's right Chinmay. A few months ago all of the pundits had written every other team off and declared that those 2 would play out the grand final. At this rate Brisbane, who struggled to beat a poor Dragons team, will miss out entirely and the Cowboys will be in the sudden death section of the finals. Wests could end up winning the whole thing - you just never know.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Haha I still think those two sides are best in the comp... Stick with them. This round will be forgotten about very quick. We are in for an amazing final 4 rounds as we head to the finals and then the finals itself... Great time of the year!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
What an interesting final 4 weeks to the semis.Even the Storm went close to losing.Warriors with momentum and Johnson shining brightly.The Titans still look strong with Hayne who had an impressive first up with his ball and all tackle 1m out from teh line,the high catch,the setting up of Is Don is Good's try,The tigers coming out of their den.The Raiders pillaging . No one based on performances is a lay down for the G/F.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
North Queensland and Brisbane both out of the top 4. Who would have thought this would happen a couple of months back?
davico55
Guest
Haha if only the Tiges could show that much ticker evry week, and the cows were not at there best!!! Tigers have a tough run in against other teams contesting th top 8 so will make it tough but showed a lot of guts. Tedesco try was a bit of a get square for the pen NQ got to put them in position to get that close. STill neither decision was acceptable. Hopefully the Tigers can scrape into the 8 but the cows will be there at the pointy end me thinks
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah he definitely looks to be the best option. Potentially the only option.
V.O.R.
Guest
Peats is a legend with a big heart.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The trouble is we have always been very light on in the no.9s dept for NSW. Pretty sad when the only alternative has been Ennis, who he himself has cost NSW a number of times. 2017 should be interesting. Might have to recall Benny Elias.
V.O.R.
Guest
Queenslander's have been saying it for years. At first it was good to get a leg up but after a while personalities like Farah take away from the game. There is no "I' in 'Team".
V.O.R.
Guest
ha,ha well Renegade, there's always next year for you and I.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Clearly the wheels have fallen off for the Cowboys... Time for concern, etc, etc ?
Renegade
Roar Guru
I know both you and I have been saying it from an origin perspective for years mate... Taylor knew it and it's proven true at club level as well.
V.O.R.
Guest
Yep, inconsistent. Advanced the football. It's a lotto. Really this is a joke now. Who would want to be in the Bunker during the finals. Well done Tigers, A great young team and deserved winners. The run in is getting very interesting.
Muzz
Guest
Farah handicapped NSW for years. The game is evolving. Jason Taylor get's this!
Muzz
Guest
He may of used common sense this time where as we've seen those not given on many occasions with the Bunker claiming "not enough sufficient evidence" The inconsistencies from the same guy in the bunker are quite bizarre.
Muzz
Guest
Great game.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report That concludes The Roar’s coverage of Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys. Be sure to join us over the remainder of the round with Jarrod McGrouther bringing you live coverage of Penrith Panthers versus Sydney Roosters tomorrow from 7pm (AEST). Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
The ladder as it stands 1. Melbourne Storm – 38 2. Cronulla Sharks – 37 3. Canberra Raiders – 31 4. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – 30 5. North Queensland Cowboys – 28 6. Brisbane Broncos – 26 7. New Zealand Warriors – 24 8. Wests Tigers - 24 9. Gold Coast Titans – 23 10. Penrith Panthers – 22 11. Manly Sea Eagles – 20 12. St George Illawarra Dragons – 20 13. Parramatta Eels – 14 14. South Sydney Rabbitohs – 14 15. Sydney Roosters – 12 16. Newcastle Knights – 7