Thursday’s NRL 2018 Round 22 match is between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:50 local time with the game to be played at 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville. The home team Cronulla Sharks are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos.
When: 19:50 | Thursday 09/08/2018
Where: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
Preview:
Whatever the form guide might suggest and whatever the inconsistencies of both these teams, expect that all to be put aside for this blockbuster.
The games we have all come to love and admire between these two sides has never let us down for many years.
Golden point, field goals, conversion attempts after the siren are all things that we link to this rivalry.
Last week’s game from Brisbane was a very ordinary and below par outing while the cellar dwellers took it to the competition favourites and will bring plenty of confidence into this one.
Aside from that, it’s Jonathan Thurston’s second last game at home and his last playing against the Broncos.
It’s also Sam Thaiday’s 300th game for Brisbane.
It’s an amazing effort from the Townsville-born boy.
Fitting place to play game 300.
KEY BATTLE: Jake Granville v Andrew McCullough
Macca for Brisbane has been down from his usual best over the last few weeks while Granville is now starting to find some form.
This will be an interesting one.
As I said from the start, we all know what to expect from these two and let’s hope they produce.
The Verdict
Brisbane, who are 26-11 (70.3 percent) as a favourite after a loss since 2013, to bounce back from last week.
Unibet Odds:
Nth Queensland Cowboys at $2.35
Brisbane Broncos at $1.61
Odds:
Tip: Brisbane Broncos at $1.67
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Corey Oates at $8.50
More Info:
Teams:
Nth Queensland Cowboys:
1 Te Maire Martin, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Enari Tuala, 4 Kane Linnett, 5 Justin O’Neill, 6 Jake Clifford, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matt Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Jordan McLean, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 John Asiata, 16 Corey Jensen, 17 Scott Bolton
Reserves: 18 Ethan Lowe, 19 Gideon Gela-Mosby, 20 Lachlan Coote, 24 Francis Molo.
Brisbane Broncos: 
1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Gehamat Shibasaki, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 David Fifita, 13 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange: 14 Sam Tagataese, 15 Patrick Mago, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Kotoni Stags
Reserves: 18 George Fai, 19 Troy Dargan, 20 Jordan Kahu, 21 Tevita Pangai jnr.
NRL News:
Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday is hopeful there are more highs than lows remaining in a rollercoaster season that will be his last.
The 33-year-old will play his 300th career game on Thursday against North Queensland in Townsville, where the Broncos again find themselves searching for consistency after another loss to a bottom-four side.
The defeat at the hands of Canterbury last Thursday leaves them seventh and likely needing to win all four remaining games this season to secure a top-four spot.
“It’s a rollercoaster at the moment,” Thaiday said.
“We’ve got some young guys there that are going to continue to grow and build and try to become the great players everyone wants them to be.
“But there’s no magic wand, you can’t wave it over them and just expect it straight away.”
Thaiday views the Broncos’ best as good enough as the nears the end of a 16-year career.
“We’re still ironing out a few things but I think if we can stay in this top eight we can shake up a few sides,” he said.
The Broncos will be without suspended Queensland and Australian forward Josh McGuire, who took an early guilty plea after being charged for pulling the hair of Bulldogs back rower Adam Elliott last week.
“I’m surprised nobody’s pulled his beard yet, it’s a prime target,” Thaiday joked.
“But to be honest, Josh is pretty disappointed in his actions.”
Brisbane are likely to blood debutant centre Gehamat Shibasaki and drop New Zealand international Jordan Kahu for the clash with the Cowboys.
That would also mean a return to fullback for Darius Boyd, with Jamayne Isaako shifting to the wing.
