Cowboys
26
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
27
| 84 |  | B. Marshall | ||
| J. Clifford |  | 79 | ||
| 75 |  | E. Marsters | ||
| 73 |  | M. C. Kam | ||
| K. Feldt | | 68 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 56 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 51 | ||
| J. Bowen | | 50 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 44 | ||
| M. Morgan | | 43 | ||
| 37 | | E. Marsters | ||
| J. Clifford | | 32 | ||
| K. Feldt | | 30 | ||
| 27 | | E. Marsters | ||
| 26 | | D. Nofoaluma | ||
| 8 | | E. Marsters | ||
| 7 | | R. Matterson | ||
| 6 | | E. Marsters | ||
| 4 | | M. C. Kam |
| 4 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
Friday night’s action continues with the North Queensland Cowboys playing host to the Wests Tigers. With the Tigers in 12th and the Cowboys in 13th this is a vital game for both sides as they battle to stay in touch with the top eight. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog, starting from 7:55pm AEST.
The Cowboys have looked their best this year with Michael Morgan at fullback. While they have signed promising up-and-comer Scott Drinkwater from the Storm during the week, he may struggle to find a starting spot if Morgan continues to impress at the back.
The Cowboys have implemented a number of changes from last week. Enari Tuala moves from wing to centre after Mitch Dunn injured his shoulder last week, with Javid Bowen coming into the starting side on the wing. Scott Bolton has been promoted to starting front-rower to cover for Jordan McLean’s hamstring injury.
The Tigers have made several changes too. Corey Thompson retains his spot at fullback, with skipper Moses Mbye shifting to the centres to accommodate Thompson at the back.
Robert Jennings has also been recalled to the side on the wing after being dropped last week, while Mahe Fonua has been named in jersey 18 despite picking up a foot injury last week. Benji Marshall has also been named to play after he suffered an eye injury against Canberra.
This should be a cracker match. With NSW front-rowers dropping like flies at the moment, Tigers’ prop Alex Twal could catapult himself into contention for a bench spot if he has a big game.
The same goes for Tigers back-rower Ryan Matterson, who was in the NSW squad for game 1. With Angus Crichton being discussed as a player to be dropped from the side, Matterson can certainly play his way into consideration in this game.
Prediction
I like the Tigers in this one. Corey Thompson provides plenty of spark at the back, and is very illusive bringing the ball back from kicks.
The halves pairing of Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall is head and shoulders above that of John Asiata and Jake Clifford. Clifford has a lot of potential, but he hasn’t impressed me much this season and is still clearly learning his craft, while Asiata is a fantastically skilled front-rower, but is not the sort of player you want as your five-eighth week-in-week-out.
There is plenty of spark out wide for the Tigers, and I’m particularly interested to see how Mbye goes in the centres.
The only hope for the Cowboys in this one is if Taumalolo single-handedly destroys Wests through the middle. Otherwise it should be the Tigers who bring home the bacon in this game.
Tigers by 12
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm AEST.
Where: 1300Smiles Stadium, Townsville
When: 7:55pm
Streaming: 9Now, NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Cowboys
1. Michael Morgan 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Enari Tuala 4. Tom Opacic 5. Javid Bowen 6. John Asiata 7. Jake Clifford 8. Josh McGuire 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Shane Wright 16. Corey Jensen 17. Francis Molo 18. Peter Hola 19. Jordan Kahu 20. Dan Russell 21. Emry Pere
Tigers
1. Corey Thompson 2. Robert Jennings 3. Moses Mbye 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Ben Matulino 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Michael Chee-Kam 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Josh Aloiai 17. Chris Lawrence 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Chris McQueen 20. Elijah Taylor 21. Luke Garner
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
FYI - unfortunately the Roar edit function wouldn't accept my adjustments to my previous comment - which was to include that I could understand some agreeing to the PT, and while I didn't i was more peeved at the inconsistency of the Bunker.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
yup, a high shot as you're falling over the line with ball in hand. doesn't get more clear cut than that. See if Gus can take a punch to the face and still hold on to his Shirley Temple when someone bumps it.
Neel
Roar Guru
Tigers move to 8th for now but there point differential is a worry. Two heavy losses against the Eels and Roosters have hampered their point differential.
R N
Roar Rookie
If Cleary had x2 try assists and scored 1 he would be MOM, given the keys to the Druit and maybe have a wax statue made in his image! It’s funny how players games are rated differently!
Big Daddy
Guest
The NRL have no thought at all for tipping competitions.
Fish
Guest
Penalty try, no penalty try, that is not why the Cowboys lost. Greens game plan has not changed since 2015. The Cowboys play dumb football. Morgan is not a number 7, he is a 5/8 or fullback. Morgan is not a natural leader. Cowboys miss too many tackles, drop too much ball, and don’t get off their defensive line. This is why they lose, not bum calls. However that second try from the Tigers was a bit suspect, nobody seems to be to worried about arguing that one. That was the biggest bum call.
TIGER MIKE
Guest
Thank you Tigers Thank you Benji Thank you the roar tipsters who tipped the Tigers.. Please respond only if you get this message and you tipped the same
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
I'm torn. As a Broncos fan, I love watching the Cowboys lose in golden point, but that penalty try... I just couldn't give it. It wasn't the hit that caused him to lose it. And it wasn't play on from the strip either, the Tigers player still had the last touch after Kahu got his arm outta there. He dead set knocked it on and it wasnt because he was hit in the head...
Big Daddy
Guest
If Farah plays on someone should snap up Liddle. Wasted in reserve grade.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am happy to get rid of it so it doesn't give everyone a 5 min rest every 10 mins
Big Daddy
Guest
Hate these rounds where the scores are close. Couple of points either way and 0/3 or 3/3 in tipping comps.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I'd love it if Billy could switch him off entirely
Jack
Roar Rookie
Geez I hope the cows miss the 8. Diabolical management in the last few years...how the hell can a club with the team they have and the juniors they had coming through be so ordinary. Green has turned Morgan into a Brodie Croft lookalike...just run it bud ffs Someone finally taps Winters on the shoulder so we replace him with Jordan flipping Kahu. Phil Gould would be quicker over 100 metres. Ugh put us back on Fox...at least I have to go out of my way to watch a game then.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Break the walls down!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah , I love the guy. Except for that bloody duck pass in 2005.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
He lost the ball from a fair strip, not the high contact. + pretty much the same happened in SOO and no penalty try. Inconsistent, too often wrong. Bunker sucks big time. Get rid of it for a better game.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Just nah .
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Again, thanks Daniel - 2 on the trot, very well done
Adam
Roar Guru
Mate, who doesn't like Benji?
R N
Roar Rookie
That hurts...