Friday’s NRL 2018 Round 20 match is between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights. The opening kick is set to commence at 18:00 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 Newcastle Knights.
When: 18:00 | Friday 27/07/2018
Where: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
Preview:
Out of any tough situation comes a silver lining and for the Cowboys it was the debut of Jake Clifford.
He’s a gifted, skilful guy with the world at his feet.
I have no doubt he’s the long-term fix for them and will only improve from week-to-week.
With home games running thin for 2018, the men up north will be desperate for a victory to give their loyal supporters something to cheer about.
I like them in this one, although the Knights showed plenty of character to come from behind against the Titans last week.
KEY BATTLE: Jonathon Thurston v Mitchell Pearce
The showdown between the two great no.7s will be a special one.
I’m sure there has been water under the bridge since Origin but there’s a long history between the two.
Pearce has been terrific for them this year and since his return they have won two in a row.
The Verdict
The Knights’ edge defence and middle third concerns me.
I’m backing the Cowboys, who lead the Knights 9-5 since 2010, to get the job done easily.
North Queensland have a 36-33 (52.2 percent) record after losing as an underdog since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Nth Queensland Cowboys at $1.50
Newcastle Knights at $2.63
Tip: Nth Queensland Cowboys at $1.52
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Kane Linnett at $15.00
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 John Asiata, 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14 Ben Hampton, 15 Shaun Fensom, 16 Mitchell Dunn, 17 Corey Jensen
Reserves: 18 Matt Scott, 19 Ethan Lowe, 20 Francis Molo, 21 Jordan McLean.
Newcastle Knights: 
1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata’utia, 4 Nathan Ross, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Mitchell Pearce (c), 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Danny Levi, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Mitch Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra
Interchange: 14 Jamie Buhrer (c), 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Josh King, 17 Herman Ese’ese
Reserves: 18 Nick Meaney, 19 Cory Denniss, 20 Jack Cogger, 21 JJ Felise.
NRL News:
Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga may not make his much-anticipated return to Townsville after picking up an ankle injury during training.
Ponga had been pencilled in to come back from a hamstring injury against his former club North Queensland but failed to finish the field session on Tuesday.
Five-eighth Connor Watson could also be sidelined with his own ankle issue that prevented him from training, however both players will travel with the team on Wednesday.
Ponga has missed the past two Knights games after injuring his hamstring in round 16.
“His hamstring’s fine but he just rolled his ankle a bit. It’s a bit more precautionary or anything,” Knights coach Nathan Brown told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’m not sure what the situation is with it but he’s running freely and his hamstring’s good, which is pleasing. The main thing is his hamstring’s good. We’ll just have to see how his foot is.”
The inclusion of both Ponga and Watson would be a huge boost for a Knights side that has been without their first choice spine since skipper Mitchell Pearce went down in round seven.
And while hooker Slade Griffin is out for the year with a knee injury, Pearce has since returned to lead the Knights to back-to-back wins over the past fortnight.
Centre Sione Mata’utia is also expected to return from an eye injury against the Cowboys.
“It’s good to be bringing some good players back into a team that’s winning a couple of games, if Sione and KP are both able to play this week,” Brown said.
“If Connor can come through and we have those two boys in the team, it’s obviously pleasing to get them all playing together, especially nine, seven, six and one.”
Brown is also confident Ponga would be able to handle the occasion surrounding his return to Townsville given his impressive State of Origin debut this year.
“I would’ve thought he’d do that okay. As long as he keeps his mind focused on the right things. I think going home would be exciting for him,” Brown saiad.
“If you ask KP he’d tell you about the great things he got out of North Queensland and now he’s coming to Newcastle, it’s a new chapter of his career.”
