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:
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.