The third of Sundays NRL Round 16 matches is between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks. The opening kick is set to commence at 6.30pm local time with the game to be played at 1300SMILES Stadium. The home team the Nth Queensland Cowboys are the current favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks.

1300SMILES Stadium

Sunday 6.30pm

Nth Queensland Cowboys $1.55 vs Cronulla Sharks $2.45 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Nth Queensland Cowboys $1.48 vs Cronulla Sharks $2.70 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Nth Queensland Cowboys	1.55	1.57	1.48	1.57	1.55	1.55
Cronulla Sharks	2.45	2.40	2.70	2.40	2.45	2.47

Preview:

North Queensland finally registered a win at their most recent game, their first victory in six weeks when defeating St. George 22 – 16.

It was only the Cowboys fifth win of the season and they sit in fourteenth spot on the ladder, two wins outside of the eight.

Needless to say they can not afford to drop another match if they are any chance of playing in this year’s finals and at home, against a side they’ve beaten three of the past four matches between the two sides, they’ll be confident of making it back to back wins for only the second time this season.

It’s been an up-and-down month for the Sharks.

They accounted for South Sydney when producing their best effort of the season three matches back but were brought down to earth the following week when drummed by Melbourne 38-6.

They were slow out of the blocks but registered 28 unanswered second half points to defeat the hapless Parramatta 32 – 14 in their most recent match.

A start similar to that against Parramatta this week and the Sharks may not be afforded the opportunity to get back into the game.

Both sides have several key players backing up from Wednesday’s Origin and any changes to line-ups could be crucial.

Plenty of points can be scored when these two sides meet and would expect this contest to be no different.

Hard to tip either side with great confidence at the moment but $2.40 about the team coming sixth in the comp against the team coming fourteenth does attract interest.

Teams:

Nth Queensland Cowboys:
Clint Greenshields, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston, Robert Lui, Matthew Scott, Ray Thompson, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson
Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Gavin Cooper, Ashton Sims, Scott Bolton, Ricky Thorby, Jason Taumalolo, Ethan Lowe.

Cronulla Sharks:
Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Ben Pomeroy, Jonathan Wright, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen.
Interchange: Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Isaac De Gois, Anthony Tupou, Ben Ross, Bryce Gibbs

Sharks re-sign Tupou, Leutele

Cronulla have re-signed back-rower Anthony Tupou and centre Ricky Leutele for the next two NRL seasons.

The in-form Tupou recently played his 200th NRL game while Leutele has been ruled out of the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan welcomed the news as a further boost to his side who have won four of their last five games after a slow start to the season and sit in sixth position on the ladder heading into round 16.

“The last couple of years, while he hasn’t missed a lot of games Anthony had that radical surgery and has played injured a lot of the time. But finally his knee is good, he’s fit and he can run again,” Flanagan said.

“As a result we’re seeing the old Anthony Tupou, fit and strong and were very happy he’s signed on for another two years.

“With Ricky, it was disappointing about his injury this year but he was in first grade, playing well and showing us what he can do at the start of the year. It’s a really important position and he is showing great potential.”

Tupou said he turned down a number of offers from rival clubs. The former Kangaroo had been linked to Parramatta and a move to the Super League, to stay with the Sharks.

“I’m just happy now that I know I’m here for another two years and I think it’s a really good opportunity for me,” Tupou said.

“I feel like the club is getting better and better and I want to be a part of that and really add to that as well.”

Halves Todd Carney and Jeff Robson re-signed with the club last month.

Cronulla play North Queensland in Townsville on Sunday.