Saturday’s first NRL Round 17 match is between St George Illawarra Dragons and Nth Queensland Cowboys with the opening kick to commence at 17:30 local time. The game is to be played at Jubilee Oval Kogarah which see’s home team St George Illawarra Dragons hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between St George Illawarra Dragons and Nth Queensland Cowboys.

Where and when: 17:30 | Saturday 05/07/2014 @ Jubilee Oval Kogarah

Preview:

The improving Dragons took another big step forward last Monday night with a comprehensive 24 – 12 win over a near full strength Melbourne Storm side.

It was the Dragons third win in a row and fourth from their past five clashes. The improvement coincides with Benji Marshall’s returning to the NRL and his formation of a strong partnership with halves partner Gareth Widdop.

The Dragons ran in five tries to the Storm’s two and could’ve won by more had Widdop converted more than two of his five shots on goal.

The win has the Dragons on sixteen competition points with the Titans and their opponents here the Cowboys.

With the struggling Titans, minus their Origin players, facing off against the Rabbitohs, there’s a real chance here for the Dragons to place themselves right in the middle of the group hunting for a finals berth.

Josh Duggan, who has scored five tries in his past three outings for the Dragons, will unfortunately be missing for the home-side this week but returning to the squad are Dan Hunt and Dylan Farrell.

The Dragons are building momentum at the right time of year and have turned a one forlorn looking season around in the past month.

COWBOYS
It the Cowboys were able to replicate their form away from their home ground, their spot in this year’s finals will have already been assured.

After losing to the then last-placed Knights in Newcastle in round 15, the eighth loss on the road from as many games this season, the Cowboys returned home last week to face South Sydney.

It must be something in the Townsville water because the Cowboys turned around an average performance in the space of five days to defeat the much more fancied rivals 20 – 18.

Unfortunately though, this game is in Sydney where they just don’t win – especially without Johnathan Thurston, who along with James Tamou, will be on Origin duty.

Maybe they should bottle the Townsville water and bring it with them – if they haven’t already tried that remedy to their abysmal away form.

HEAD TO HEAD
The Dragons have lost their last three matches against the Cowboys, two of which surprisingly, have been played at Win Stadium.

In each of those games though Johnathan Thurston has started and played a significant role in his sides’ victory.

Last time they played away and without Thurston the struggling Canberra Raiders defeated them, recording only their fourth win of the season.

The Dragons are travelling much better than the Raiders and the away game/no Thurston combo is too great to ignore.

Tips : DRAGONS 1 – 12 at $2.95 with Luxbet + get a $700 FREE BET on the match

Teams:

DRAGONS: Adam Quinlan, Charly Runciman, Peter Mata’utia, Gerard Beale, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Ben Creagh, Mitch Rein, Michael Cooper, Leeson Ah Mau, Joel Thompson, Jack de Belin. Interchange: Bronson Harrison, Shane Pumipi, Will Matthews, Dylan Farrell, Jack Stockwell, Dan Hunt.

COWBOYS: Matthew Wright, Curtis Rona, Tautau Moga, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Robert Lui, Michael Morgan (vc), Scott Bolton, Rory Kostjasyn, Ashton Sims (c), Tariq Sims, Jason Taumalolo, Glenn Hall. Interchange: Anthony Mitchell, Ethan Lowe, John Asiata, Sam Hoare, Ben Spina.

News:

New Zealand international Kevin Locke is battling to overcome jet lag as he eyes an eagerly-awaited Super League debut.

The 25-year-old fullback has joined Salford on a three-and-a-half-year contract and, after meeting his new teammates on Tuesday, underwent a difficult first training session at the AJB Stadium on Wednesday.

“I feel a bit crook,” Locke told Press Association Sport.

“I felt a bit sick at training. I’m getting over it slowly. I did a full training session today.”

Salford coach Iestyn Harris is unlikely to throw the former Warriors NRL player into action against Huddersfield on Saturday, with the home game against Hull a week later the more likely date for his Red Devils debut.

“I’m not too sure, maybe next weekend,” Locke said.

I haven’t played for four weeks and you’ve got to take the travelling into consideration. Obviously I’ve got to get a bit fitter.

“I’m pretty excited to be here, though. It’s something different.

“It has been a bit of a frustrating couple of months but I’m enjoying being here.”

Salford, who have begun selling Locke merchandise, are hoping the arrival of their latest marquee player will provide them with a late-season fillip after enduring a disappointing first half to the campaign.

Locke, who played for the Kiwis in the 2013 World Cup final at Old Trafford in November, missed the start of the NRL season due to a knee injury and then found former Wigan fullback Sam Tomkins in his way of a recall to the Warriors team.

Locke is no stranger to England, having toured with New Zealand for the 2011 Four Nations Series, and has a host of friends at the Red Devils, including former Warriors teammate Steve Rapira and former Junior Kiwi Rangi Chase.

“I spoke to Steve and Junior (Sau) about the club – and Rangi – and they said I’d love it,” Locke said.

“I guess I have to get used to the time difference yet. Hopefully I’ll play next weekend, that’s the game I’m looking to play in.”