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North Queensland Cowboys
12
Match Complete
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
26
| 70 |  | N. Hynes | ||
| 69 |  | S. Katoa | ||
| 61 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 59 | | T. Wilton | ||
| C. Townsend | | 40 | ||
| H. Tabuai-Fidow | | 38 | ||
| 29 |  | N. Hynes | ||
| C. Townsend | | 26 | ||
| K. Feldt | | 24 | ||
| 21 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 20 | | J. Ramien | ||
| 4 | | N. Hynes | ||
| 3 | | J. Ramien |
| 2 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
It is an all-top four affair to kick of Round 18 of the 2022 NRL Premiership with the North Queensland Cowboys hosting the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6pm AEST.
With State of Origin now behind us, the focus turns back to the competition proper and the race to the finals. While Penrith look certain to finish in the top 2, outside of that the competition for spots in the top four and top eight is fierce. This is a big game for both teams, a chance to put a dent in each others top four aspirations.
The Cowboys are outright second at the start of this round but a loss tonight could see them fall back to third if the Storm win on Sunday. The Sharks can move up a rung pending the results of that Sunday game with a win, while a loss could mean that the Broncos and Eels make up some ground and end the weekend on equal wins for the year. The Cowboys had a week off last week, after dismantling the Broncos at home a fortnight ago. The Sharks turned in one of their best displays of the season to completely smother the Storm, even without Nicho Hynes.
Late changes are certainly a chance with this match less than 48 hours after the State of Origin decider.
At time of writing, the Cowboys have elected to rest Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai. Tom Dearden and Tom Gilbert are named to back up. Murray Taulagi is out with Covid, Brendan Elliot named on the wing. Jordan McLean is replaced by Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. Connelly Lemuelu and Coen Hess return from injury.
Nicho Hynes and Toby Rudolph return from Covid for the Sharks. Braydon Trindall moves to 18th man, and Andrew Fifita goes back to the bench. Teig Wilton replaces the suspended Briton Nikora. Siosifa Talakai is named in the reserves but should play if his minutes are again limited in Origin.
Cronulla have a dominant recent record over the Cowboys. Seven straight wins dating back to the start of 2018. The Cowboys have lost 11 of the last 13 clashes between the two sides. The Sharks are 2/2 at the Cowboys new stadium, and have a win record of 58% in Townsville overall.
Prediction
This one is a bit of a toss of a coin. What it will come down to is the respective halfbacks. Nicho Hynes and Chad Townsend have just about been the best signings for their respective clubs this year. Their kicking games and composure have spearheaded the campaigns of both teams into the top four.
This is a massive game for both teams, and a massive opportunity to maintain pace with the rest of the top four. Given the Cowboys are at home, and that they haven’t lost there since Round 4, I can’t go past them. They were dominant against the Broncos a fortnight ago and while they have a few missing, the depth they have means it should be of little problem to them.
Cowboys by 4
Kick-off: 6:00pm AEST
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Cowboys $1.85, Sharks $1.95 – odds via PlayUp
North Queensland
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Peta Hiku 5. Brendan Elliot 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Ben Hampton 17. Griffin Neame 18. Tomas Chester 19. Emry Pere 20. Kane Bradley 21. Ben Condon 22. Riley Price
Cronulla
1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Royce Hunt 11. Teig Wilton 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Aiden Tolman 15. Cameron McInnes 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Andrew Fifita 18. Braydon Trindall 19. Jesse Colquhoun 20. Kade Dykes 21. Siosifa Talakai 22. Lachlan Miller
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