Hot and most importantly dry conditions await the North Queensland Cowboys as they host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game from 8:05pm (AEDT).
An understrength Cowboys outfit outlasted the Gold Coast Titans last week, although it was concerning they leaked 26 points.
Jason Taumalolo returns from a two-week suspension and Lachlan Coote from injury.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs were poor against a red-hot Sydney Roosters, who held them to just one try for the game. They do have plenty of experience though, and will be hoping that can get them into this tough encounter.
With Taumalolo returning to help drive the forward pack, Lachlan Coote’s consistency at the back, and Coen Hess in career-best form, it’s quite a task for South Sydney in this one.
Don’t get me wrong, the Rabbitohs have the team to win, and have a two-day break advantage to prepare, having played last Thursday compared to Saturday night for the Cowboys.
It’s also been a bit of a mix-up of a preparation for the Cowboys, with Cyclone Debbie wreaking havoc across most of Queensland. So if the Rabbitohs can start the game off on the right track then they may give North Queensland a scare.
The Cowboys are fourth on the ladder at the moment, having secured three wins from the four games they have played so far this year – beating the Raiders 20-16, the Broncos 21-20, the Sea Eagles 8-30, and the Titans 32-26.
The Rabbitohs are in 10th, but only a win behind the Cowboys. They got slammed by the Wests Tigers 18-34 in Round 1, defeated the Sea Eagles 38-18 in Round 2, the Knights in Round 24-18, and then lost to the Roosters 6-20 last week.
Prediction
One-way traffic – the Cowboys to win comfortably.
Cowboys by 16.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game from 8:05pm (AEDT).
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 A convincing performance from the Cowboys who win this one 20-6, they were convincing early in this game. The second half of the match petered out a little bit into a game that just went through the motions, the Rabbitohs have a bit to work on, their attack looked good at times but they just didn't have the execution to finish some moves off. That's it from me, thanks for your company and enjoy your night.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'79 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Last minute of play here as the Rabbitohs look for some consolation points but Turner with a poor offload turns it over.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'77 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Bowen now stays down after a tackle, looks like his ankle got caught underneath him, the last thing the Cowboys need is more backline injuries.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'76 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Cook still trying hard, he makes some good metres out of dummy half, the Cowboys have to be careful here, but looks like they are happy to just finish this one up. Now Walker to Jennings and that is the end of that set.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'74 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Now an error from Sam Burgess, stick a fork in it this game is done.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'73 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Game just fizzing out here as Fensom knocks it on.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'71 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Morgan puts up a bomb, Feldt takes it but he puts a foot on the line.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'69 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Clunky attack from the Rabbitohs tonight as they make another error in a good spot.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'68 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 An error from the Cowboys now and the Rabbitohs are let off, now an error from Coote is missed but the bunker calls a goal line drop out!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'66 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Now Johnston an error regaining a kick and the Cowboys are going to have a chance from the 10m line with a scrum.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'65 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 The Rabbitohs with a nice play but again the execution is lacking. Another error as Johnston puts it down.
Nate
Guest
Even though that wasn't a try, just wow.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'63 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 What a try! YOU WILL NOT SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN! Thurston kicked it to himself, then regathered, it looks like Linnett is offside though. Otherwise Thurston kicked infield and Coote scored, but it's a no try for offside.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'61 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Talakai with the intercept and he takes off, he is caught, now the Rabbitohs have numbers the other side and Jennings can't hold it!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'60 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Now Cooper finds space, he looks to give it inside to Thurston who is taken after Reynolds knocked it down, six more and he gets the penalty! They are taking their time to make a decision and end up taking a tap.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'58 Cowboys 20 vs Rabbitohs 6 Thurston converts and the Cowboys re-instate their half time lead.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'57 Cowboys 18 vs Rabbitohs 6 Cowboys looking to kill off this game they have it inside the Rabbitohs 20. A short ball to Fensom and he scores his first try as a Cowboy!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'54 Cowboys 14 vs Rabbitohs 6 Rabbitohs still hanging on, they have changed the way they are playing a little bit, a lot more direct and one pass stuff this half so far.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'53 Cowboys 14 vs Rabbitohs 6 Morgan finds some real estate but he is run into touch by Cook though! Rabbitohs get away with one there.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'51 Cowboys 14 vs Rabbitohs 6 Rabbitohs starting to work their way into this game.