NRL Round 10 Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys Preview

Saturday night we take a trip to Hunter region to witness the Newcastle Knights hosting the North Queensland Cowboys. Wayne Bennett certainly has a very tough task ahead of him for the remainder of the season. He is undoubtable one of the best coaches that I have seen and does have the potential to get the best out of unheralded players. But the Knights also have a horrific injury toll to work against, losing Kurt Gidley and Danny Buderus in recent weeks. The Cowboys have been up and down like a yo-yo this year and look to build on a solid outing last week against the Dragons. Both teams have players with SOO on their mind, but many are not really pushing for selection. Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott are both incumbents of the QLD team are whilst they aren't pushing for selection, they will definitely be hoping to get through this game injury-free. For NSW, Tariq Sims and James Tamou will be doing everything possible to claim a ticket down to Melbourne for the clash. But if the team is picked on form, they are a certainty to be picked as at times, they have proven unstoppable after returning from a season ending injury last season (Simms) and gaining international selection (Tamou).

Newcastle Knights

The Knights were the team that promised so much at the beginning of the year and are yet to deliver. Along with the West Tigers, they have been a real disappointment this season and are in doubt of even becoming contenders for the premiership. In all fairness though, they do have a casualty ward with over $2million worth of talent. Going into this game, there are a few changes to the team. Neville Costigan moves back to lock and Matt Hilder comes into the starting side at hooker. There has been a few changes in the outside backs also. Wes Naiqama has been dropped and Junior Sa'u comes into the centers. Joel Edwards has been rubbed out for one game after taking an early guilty plea for a grade one throw and Evarn Tuimavave has recovered from a corked thigh to start in the front row and Richie Fa'aoso moves back to the bench. Although the Knights are at home, it does seem like a tough task based on their absence of quality players and recent performances this year. The last being a dour affair away to the Roosters, losing 24-6.

North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys started the season very slowly, but are beginning to come into their own. They have put in some quality performances in recent weeks and are certainly beginning to come into their own against quality opposition. They gave it to the Dragons last week, whilst in round 8 they fought back hard against the Rabbitohs and lost in fast-finishing fashion 20-16, after being down 20-nil at HT. Glen Hall gains a recall from QLD Cup to take his place on the bench and unfortunately, exciting young hooker James Segeyaro has been ruled out for a week for a hit on Ben Hornby the previous week.

Recents History
Last 5 games - Newcastle 3 Cowboys 2
At Hunter Stadium - Newcastle 10 Cowboys 4

Odds
TAB Sportsbet - Newcastle $2.30 Cowboys $1.65
Centrebet - Newcastle $2.30 Cowboys $1.65
Sportsbet - Newcastle $2.25 Cowboys $1.67

Verdict
This is my BET OF THE WEEK! Cowboys should be able to handle the Knights easily. Whilst one should be wary of ruling out a Wayne Bennett coached team, I think that with all things working against them at this stage of the season, the Cowboys will be too strong. Then again stranger things have happened and thats why we watch the great game of rugby league.

Suggested Bet
Cowboys -2.5 @ $1.90


Good luck!


Scooby