Round 11 of the NRL season continues as the North Queensland Cowboys host the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Cowboys’ Leichhardt Oval hoodoo struck again last round, as they went down to the Tigers, which has them sitting at the wrong end of the ladder.
It’s not yet curtains for North Queensland but, with a number of their players likely to be putting on maroon jumpers in a few weeks’ time, this home game takes on extra significance.
Coach Paul Green has stuck solid and named an unchanged 17 for the game. Michael Morgan is perhaps under most pressure to turn his game around and while it’s almost inconceivable that the Cowboys won’t eventually click, Green will need to make some tough calls if they don’t get the win tonight.
On the other hand, Anthony Seibold must think that this NRL coaching gig is easy. After a slow start to the season, the Rabbitohs are looking like serious contenders for the premiership, as cemented by their win over the Dragons last weekend. They go for three wins on the trot tonight.
Souths also go in with an unchanged line-up, with Robert Jennings still recovering from a hamstring injury. Their attack has fired this season, leading the NRL in tries scored and line breaks – damage the Cowboys will need to minimise.
Prediction
Recent history supports North Queensland, winning four of the last five clashes – the Bunnies’ last win over the Cowboys was in 2015 – however form points towards a Souths win.
That said, back at home, I’m tipping the Cowboys to find something and pip them in a thriller.
The Cowboys’ Leichhardt Oval hoodoo struck again last round, as they went down to the Tigers, which has them sitting at the wrong end of the ladder.
It’s not yet curtains for North Queensland but, with a number of their players likely to be putting on maroon jumpers in a few weeks’ time, this home game takes on extra significance.
Coach Paul Green has stuck solid and named an unchanged 17 for the game. Michael Morgan is perhaps under most pressure to turn his game around and while it’s almost inconceivable that the Cowboys won’t eventually click, Green will need to make some tough calls if they don’t get the win tonight.
On the other hand, Anthony Seibold must think that this NRL coaching gig is easy. After a slow start to the season, the Rabbitohs are looking like serious contenders for the premiership, as cemented by their win over the Dragons last weekend. They go for three wins on the trot tonight.
Souths also go in with an unchanged line-up, with Robert Jennings still recovering from a hamstring injury. Their attack has fired this season, leading the NRL in tries scored and line breaks – damage the Cowboys will need to minimise.
Prediction
Recent history supports North Queensland, winning four of the last five clashes – the Bunnies’ last win over the Cowboys was in 2015 – however form points towards a Souths win.
That said, back at home, I’m tipping the Cowboys to find something and pip them in a thriller.
