The Cowboys will be looking to give their ailing season a shot in the arm when they host the Warriors in Townsville on Friday night.
North Queensland are just about down to their last chance as they take on the Warriors in Townsville on Friday night. The Cowboys put in perhaps their worst performance of a wretched season to date, going down 20-14 to the bottom-placed Eels in Darwin to remain in 14th spot on the competition table.
The Warriors responded well from their bye with a thumping 34-14 victory over the Sea Eagles at AMI Stadium in Otago. The Warriors are on track to make the finals for the first time since 2011, sitting in fourth place after 14 rounds.
North Queensland Cowboys scouting report
The Cowboys have a host of changes, with Michael Morgan returning at fullback at the expense of Lachlan Coote. Kane Linnett moves into the starting side for Justin O’Neill, who is the 18th man. Javid Bowen comes in for the injured Antonio Winterstein, while Origin forwards Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess have been named in the starting side after coming off the bench against the Eels. Scott Bolton is also back to further bolster the Cowboys pack from a rib injury.
New Zealand Warriors scouting report
The Warriors welcome back captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who returns from an ankle injury, at fullback. Peta Hiku moves back to centres after filling in at number one last weekend. Gerard Beale drops out of the 17.
Verdict
I am going for something of an upset here and for the Cowboys to play one of their better games of the season at home. They were horrible last week and I think they would have been really embarrassed.
The Cowboys have won just two of their past nine games, and I expect them to finally come out blazing and start fast and beat a Warriors side that can still be a little flaky on the road.
I’m expecting this game to be open, high scoring and close throughout, and for the Cowboys to spring a surprise to keep their really faint finals hopes alive.
Cowboys by two to ten points.
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