New Zealand Warriors vs Nth Queensland Cowboys Tips, Odds and Teams – 2018 NRL Round 5

Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 5 match is between New Zealand Warriors and Nth Queensland Cowboys. The opening kick is set to commence at 17:30 local time with the game to be played at Mt Smart Stadium. The away team Nth Queensland Cowboys are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between New Zealand Warriors and Nth Queensland Cowboys.

When: 17:30 | Saturday 07/04/2018

Where: Mt Smart Stadium

Preview:

Love everything Blake Green has brought to the Warriors.

He has brought stability, direction, calmness and experience and he’ll continue his form up against struggling Cowboys.

Bringing back Shaun Johnson into the fray will boost their halves.

Playing at home after an undefeated start will be a tough road trip for anyone, let alone a clunky Cowboys.

A lot has been made about Jason Taumalolo’s involvement in the middle third of the field and while there’s no doubt his performances have been down from what we have seen last year, so has the entire team.

But he’s a great player and he’ll be up for this contest.

KEY BATTLE: Adam Blair v Jason Taumalolo

Looking forward to the battle of the old bull Adam Blair against the young bull JT.

Both will provide their team with the X Factor and platform to success.

I can’t see the Cwboys knocking over the Warriors that are playing a brand of footy that I think we all can agree on is entertaining.

Collectively, all players are fulfilling their roles.

The Verdict

Warriors with a home ground advantage and each of their last five round 5 matches have gone over the total match points line.

Unibet Odds:

New Zealand at $1.93

North Queensland at $1.89

Odds:

OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!

Tip: Nth Queensland Cowboys at $2.00

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Coen Hess at $14.00

More Info:

Teams:

New Zealand Warriors:

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusitua, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Bunty Afoa, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Leivaha Pulu, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Simon Mannering, 17 Anthony Gelling

Reserves: 18 Ligi Sao, 19 Mason Lino, 20 Tevita Satae, 21 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Nth Queensland Cowboys:

1 Ben Hampton, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Javid Bowen, 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 Lachlan Coote, 20 Enari Tuala, 21 Kyle Laybutt.

NRL News:

North Queensland representative prop Jordan McLean will undergo surgery on a foot injury on Monday that is set to end his hopes of a State of Origin debut in 2018.

McLean limped from the field late in Thursday night’s loss to Penrith, and the Kangaroos World Cup prop is set to miss at least 12 weeks with the injury after ripping his ligament from the bone.

He’s unlikely to return until after the stand-alone weekend for Origin II in Sydney, meaning it’s highly unlikely he will be selected to play for the Blues this year.

The news comes a day after Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita confirmed he wouldn’t play for the Blues in this year’s Origin series, after electing to preference Tonga during the representative period.

“We’ve got Paul Vaughan and a few front-rowers out here who could contend for that position,” NSW coach Brad Fittler said during the Nine Network’s coverage of the St George-Illawarra and Newcastle clash.

It also comes as a massive blow for the Cowboys, who suffered a horror injury toll in the run to last year’s grand final.

McLean has had a quiet start to the season, but would have been relied upon to provide some power as they try to recover from their 1-3 start to the season.

They have Corey Jensen and Francis Molo who could come into the team in McLean’s place, with Scott Bolton or John Asiata likely to be elevated to the starting side.

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