NRL Round 23 North Queensland Cowboys v NZ Warriors Preview

Super Saturday just isn't the same without a game from Townsville and fans are lucky enough this week to witness, what should be, a cracker of a game. As the Warriors fans continue to wonder why they even support their team, the Cowboys are putting together a team that now has their combinations starting to work for one another. When they're on, they can beat any team in the competition comfortably as they have so many attack weapons to call upon. They also have a monster pack of forwards that can set a good platform to work off. They are deserved of their place on the table at the moment and can only look to build on it and push for a place in the Top 4.  The Warriors on the other hand are a classic example of frustrating the hell out of their fans with dismal and astonishing performances. Unfortunately for their club and followers, they have now lost contact with the Top 8 after having it all in front of them. They gave up two 18-0 leads in consecutive weeks before travelling home to play a Sharks team that was on the slide. But things didn't go to plan again and they were left embarrassed by a 41-point loss. If there is any positives to take away from that game, they have now filled Sharks fans with greater confidence and their team now has some momentum back. The Warriors just have to go back to the controlled and patient football they played under coach Ivan Cleary. They are now in a place where they lack direction and players with an enormous amount of talent are being wasted in front of rugby league fans. This is a disappointing season to date and while they need a few results to go their way, they can turn it all around and make the Top 8. It is a tough task that lies ahead of them against a team that is very tough to beat on their home turf and boasts 2 of the best attacking weapons in the game in Thurston and Bowen. This game could produce anything if both sides are going to "have their day", fingers crossed that they do.

North Queensland Cowboys

Great news for the Cowboys this week as winger Ashley Graham returns from injury and is immediately returned to the starting side at the expense of Kalifa Faifai Loa. Whilst Faifai Loa was playing some of the best football of his career, Graham brings about stability out wide when the Cowboys are defending bombs. That is the only change to the starting 12 but there is a lot of movement on the extended bench of 6. The two new faces this week are Joel Riethmuller and Ray Thompson. It is interesting to see Anthony Mitchell demoted to 18th man but then again he could very well be included in the final lineup that takes the field. As mentioned above, the Cowboys combinations are starting to form together well and they need to ensure that they continue in this game and keep the pressure on the Warriors from the opening whistle.

NZ Warriors

The Warriors should change their jerseys this week and maybe that will kick them back into gear. Some good news see's the return of Konrad Hurrell to the centres and Ben Henry moves back to the second row, Sebastine Ikahihifo now goes back to the bench. It was stated last week that because the Warriors had named two back rowers in the centres and they were effectively weaker out wide. Well Lewis Brown remains this week and unless they work to get the ball to Hurrell his talents are wasted. It is certainly a poor defensive move from the Warriors to keep Brown out there. They have also named an extended bench that doesn't feature Jame Maloney. Carlos Tuimavave has named for him to start at 5/8 but news has surfaced that Maloney has actually travelled to Townsville with the team and therefore there is a chance that he could take the field. Ukuma Ta'Ai is the player that disappears from the team altogether because they welcome back warhorse Michael Luck, a player that will definitely make the middle of the field stronger for the Warriors. Defence is all about attitude and this guy will have the perfect one to get them back on track.

Recent History

Overall = Cowboys 14 - Warriors 16

Last 5 games = Cowboys 2 - Warriors 3

At Dairy Farmers Stadium = Cowboys 9 - Warriors 4 

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Cowboys $1.35 Warriors $3.25

Centrebet = Cowboys $1.35 Warriors $3.30

Sportsbet = Cowboys $1.36 Warriors $3.25

Betfair = Cowboys $1.36 Warriors $3.55

Verdict

The Warriors are an under performing team that could very well spring an upset in this match. They're inconsistent and weak in defence at key points in the match. Rewind 10 rounds and you could probably say similar things about the Cowboys, but on recent form, it appears as though they've turned a corner. It is extremely important to their season that they get a win in this game. If they don't, they will have a smaller chance of making the Top 4 and will have to play sudden death from Week 1 of the finals. Their attacking weapons are beginning to fire together and their combinations are working for them. You would be a very brave person to consider taking the Warriors.

Suggested Bet

Cowboys @ $1.36

Stack the points on = Cowboys 13+ @ $2.25 - It seems like the most logical selection when looking at the margins for this game based on the Warriors recent form. The Cowboys can score points in bunches and will definitely look to score points as they have been limited in the games they've played in recent weeks.

Welcome back Graham = Ashley Graham First ($8) and/or Last ($8) - He is returning from a leg injury and better yet, the Cowboys love moving the ball to his side of the field. It would be great for him to get the first try but even better for punters who back him.

Good luck!

Scooby

@scoobystips