Dolphins
18
Match Complete
North Queensland Cowboys
43
| J. Isaako |  | 74 | ||
| J. Bostock |  | 73 | ||
| 67 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 48 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 47 | | H. Luki | ||
| 39 |  | C. Townsend | ||
| 36 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 35 | | M. Taulagi | ||
| J. Isaako | | 32 | ||
| J. Kerr | | 31 | ||
| 30 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 29 | | K. Feldt | ||
| 25 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 24 | | J. Nanai | ||
| 13 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 11 | | T. Dearden | ||
| J. Isaako | | 8 | ||
| T. Flegler | | 7 | ||
| 3 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 2 | | Z. Laybutt |
| 3 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 7 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
The Dolphins host the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium to kick off their 2023 NRL season. Join The Roar for live scores from 4:05pm (AEDT).
The Cowboys are without Coen Hess after he tore his ACL in the trials but are otherwise at full strength.
Zac Laybutt gets the centre berth left vacant by Peta Hiku’s switch to the Super League. Reuben Cotter sat out All-Stars due to a few recent concussions but is not considered in doubt for Round 1.
Cowboys veteran Kyle Feldt has beaten Fijian ace Semi Valemei to a wing spot.
Wayne Bennett has made two big selection calls with centre Tesi Niu and No.6 Kodi Nikorima getting the nod for Sunday’s NRL round-one clash with North Queensland.
Niu edged out speedster Jake Averillo who was recruited from Canterbury on a three-year deal after losing eight kilograms in the off-season and performing strongly in both trials.
Veteran Nikorima, who played multiple positions in 2023, has been preferred to 20-year-old five-eighth Isaiya Katoa, who featured 22 times last year.
Prediction
Both teams enter the season with hopes to go higher than last year – the Dolphins looking to build on their foundation season and the Cowboys keen to bounce back into the finals after a down year. Cowboys by 10.
Game information
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Kick-off: 4:05pm AEDT
TV: Fox League, Nine
Stream: Kayo Sports, 9Now
Odds: Dolphins $2.45, Cowboys $1.55 – odds via PlayUp
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Tesi Niu 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Max Plath 16. Kenny Bromwich 17. Mark Nicholls 18. Jarrod Wallace 19. Jake Averillo 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Euan Aitken 22. Isaiya Katoa
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Tomas Chester 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Semi Valemei 21. Jack Gosiewski 22. Jake Clifford
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Pity. I'd love for Souths to be gifted 3 Tries under the posts. :laughing:
NQR
Roar Rookie
It’s how the NRL interpret rules. Don’t worry it won’t happen when teams play the boys from Sydney. ????
Nat
Roar Guru
8kg lighter by reports. Might have visited Mecca'son the way onto town.
79
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Well that result makes up a little bit for the two flogging from the Phins last year.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
No disrespect to the Cows boys here, because I’d say it whoever was playing, but it’s unsettling to see scores like this straight out of the gate. But good win to the Cows.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
On that vision? I didn't see separation ...
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Feldt. I've never seen a more rocks & diamonds player in my life. He must be the fountain of self belief.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Drinky has easily bested Hammer today.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Plenty of time with the dumbbell delts and the dumbbell flys over Summer for sure.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Top of the table this week!
74
73
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
And I was embarrassed that up until today Souths were the ONLY team to concede over 30 points. The Dolphins might yet concede 50 points!
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
How's the Cows Rob? Definite challengers at this standard.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Val Holmes really takes the defensive line on like a freight train. He clearly has no concern about heavy contact. He makes sure that defenders have to put their body into the tackle and commit to contact or Holmes would be through and into open space.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
More of an old type fridge with a bit of rounding in the panels and a little pin head on top.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Is there an award for the worst refereeing in a match? Fortunately the Phins were never in this, so it hasn't decided the result, but seriously???
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Has Taumalolo already left the building ?
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
That's 3 gift tries to the Cowboys today.