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North Queensland Cowboys
20
Match Complete
Parramatta Eels
24
| 65 |  | M. Moses | ||
| 64 |  | M. Sivo | ||
| 58 | | M. Moses | ||
| 57 | | R. Campbell-Gillard | ||
| V. Holmes | | 54 | ||
| M. Taulagi | | 52 | ||
| V. Holmes |  | 49 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 38 | ||
| L. Leilua | | 25 | ||
| 19 | | M. Moses | ||
| 18 | | R. Campbell-Gillard | ||
| V. Holmes | | 13 | ||
| R. Cotter | | 11 | ||
| 8 | | M. Moses | ||
| 6 | | W. Penisini |
| 3 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
We’re into the back end of the NRL finals as the North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels face off to be the first team to make the 2022 NRL Grand Final. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
Words cannot do justice to the incredible year the Cowboys have had so far. After finishing 15th last year, no one would’ve expected them to be in a preliminary final the year after.
The Cowboys will be well rested after an incredible 32-30 win against the Sharks in Week 1 of the finals.
Responsibility will fall on halves Chad Townsend and Tom Dearden to marshal their troops and get the Cowboys on the front foot early into the contest. Bar a minor knee scare for Coen Hess, the Cowboys are likely to name the same 1-17 from their victory two weeks ago.
After 13 long and sometimes painful years, the Eels are back into playing in a preliminary final. Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown have matured as halves, which has reflected on the side as they have won some big games away from home where they have historically failed to turn up.
But don’t count out the Eels forward pack led by Junior Paulo. Alongside Paulo, Reed Mahoney will have to step up if Parramatta are in with a shot of making the big dance next week.
A hamstrung Tom Opacic has been named at centre, but will Brad Arthur stick with this decision before kickoff? If so, Peta Hiku could be running circles around the Eels left edge for fun throughout the contest.
Prediction
The last time these two sides met, the Cowboys won 35-4. But finals football and the pressure that comes with it is a different ball game.
Parramatta have done well to break their Week 2 finals hoodoo, but going all out against a fresh Cowboys outfit in the humidity surrounding Townsville will be a huge task.
While I expect the contest to be tight for the first half, I’m backing the Cowboys to run away with it in the latter parts of the game.
Cowboys by 10.
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV/Stream: Nine, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Cowboys $1.70; Eels $2.25 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson
Interchange: 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore
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