Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 6 match is between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs. The opening kick is set to commence at 17:30 local time with the game to be played at 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville. The home team Nth Queensland Cowboys are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs.
When: 17:30 | Saturday 14/04/2018
Where: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
Preview:
A lot of expectation and talk was around the Cowboys before a ball had been kicked this year and rightly so.
After making their way into the Grand Final last year without JT and Matt Scott was amazing.
So bring back those two and add test prop Jordan McLean and they will win right?
Maybe this is what the players were thinking?
The past month of footy they have been unable to grab a win and the drums are beating louder.
Some have even mentioned that Thurston has gone a year too long.
The Cowboys look too predictable when they have the ball in good field position.
I would love to see them get back to their fast and flat style of play instead of a team that lays up for a shot.
Short passing and second phase will help with this and Jake Granville is the key for this.
When they win he generally gets a quick run in the ruck so the halves can play off the front foot.
Playing a Bulldogs team without captain Josh Jackson will help as he’s been great with his leadership and attitude for his team.
KEY BATTLE: Michael Morgan v Jeremy Marshall-King
I’m looking forward to seeing Morgan relieve some pressure of JT and really kickstart his 2018 campaign.
The Verdict
Back home with plenty to play for, I see the Cowboys getting the job done.
Kyle Feldt to cross for at least one try or maybe two.
The Cowboys have a 6-4 (60.0 percent) record against the Bulldogs since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Nth Queensland Cowboys at $1.30
Canterbury Bulldogs at $3.55
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Nth Queensland Cowboys at $1.30
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Coen Hess at $11.00
More Info:
Teams:
Nth Queensland Cowboys:
1 Lachlan Coote, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Ben Hampton, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Michael Morgan, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 John Asiata, 16 Corey Jensen, 17 Ethan Lowe. Reserves: 18 Francis Molo, 19 Javid Bowen, 20 Enari Tuala, 21 Jake Clifford.
Canterbury Bulldogs:
1 Moses Mbye, 2 Brett Morris, 3 Josh Morris, 4 Will Hopoate, 5 Marcelo Montoya, 6 Jeremy Marshall-King, 7 Kieran Foran, 8 Aaron Woods, 9 Michael Lichaa, 10 David Klemmer, 11 Josh Jackson (c), 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13 Adam Elliott. Interchange: 14 Asipeli Fine, 15 Danny Fualalo, 16 Greg Eastwood, 17 Kerrod Holland. Reserves: 18 John Olive, 19 Rhyse Martin, 20 Renouf Toomaga, 21 Reimis Smith.
NRL News:
North Queensland coach Paul Green says Lachlan Coote has done enough to reclaim the Cowboys’ No.1 jersey for Saturday’s vital NRL match against Canterbury.
The 2015 premiership winner hasn’t played a first-grade game this season after struggling with a hamstring injury.
But after two games in the Queensland Cup with the Mackay Cutters, Green said the 28-year-old was more than ready to reclaim his fullback role in the NRL.
“Like all players would be, he was a little bit disappointed to be playing Q-Cup but it was done for a reason and hopefully we’ve ticked that box,” Green said on Tuesday.
“Mentally he’s feeling confident in that hamstring and it won’t be an issue.
“His experience and his positional play will be handy for us and probably just his talk will help overall.”
Coote replaces Ben Hampton at fullback, but the former Melbourne player has retained his spot in the starting team.
Hampton moves to the centres and Green believes he can be just as effective in the No.4 jumper.
“We’re trying to build some confidence in our game and having the more experienced players out there will help with that,” Green said.
“He certainly brings plenty of energy and he’s quick. We just need to make sure Benny does bring that energy.”
