Saturday third NRL Round 26 match is between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers with the opening kick to commence at 7.30pm local time. The game is to be played at 1300SMILES Stadium which see’s home team Nth Queensland Cowboys hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Nth Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers.
WHERE AND WHEN: 1300SMILES Stadium, 7.30pm (EST) Saturday
[iframe_loader width=”690″ height=”300″ src=”https://sportsnews.com.au/nrl/match.php?id=1943″]
Opening odds comparison:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Nth Queensland Cowboys | 1.12 | 1.15 | 1.13 | 1.15 | 1.12 | N/A |
|
Wests Tigers
|
6.25 | 5.50 | 6.25 | 5.50 | 6.25 | N/A |
Preview:
The North Queensland Cowboys play the Tigers on Saturday, 7.30 at 1300SMILES Stadium. The result of this one game has a number of implications for other teams, with North Queensland in the best position of all. If the Warriors or Titans win on Saturday, then this is a do-or-die game for the Cowboys. However, even if this situation does eventuate, North Queensland are highly unlikely to lose such an important game at home to a struggling Tigers side. Unlike the Warriors and Titans, the Cowboys have fate in their own hands and should take advantage of that fact with a strong victory.
Teams:
Nth Queensland Cowboys:
Matthew Bowen, Wayne Ulugia, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston (capt), Robert Lui, Scott Bolton, Rory Kostjasyn, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Joel Riethmuller. Interchange: Jayden Hodges, Tariq Sims, Ashton Sims, Ricky Thorby.
Wests Tigers:
James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma, Bodene Thompson, Tim Simona, Lote Tuqiri, Benji Marshall, Braith Anasta, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah (c), Adam Blair, Liam Fulton, Curtis Sironen, Ben Murdoch-Masila. Interchange: Ava Seumanufagai, Jack Buchanan, Shaun Spence, Sauaso Sue, Matt Bell (one to be omitted).
Referees: Gerard Sutton, Gavin Reynolds.
Emotional night looms for Cowboys
The stage is set for an emotional night in Townsville on Saturday with 13-season veteran Matt Bowen playing his final home game in North Queensland colours and rugby convert Benji Marshall ending his sometimes tumultuous time at Wests Tigers.
One way or another it’s a game that looks set to end in tears – but Cowboys coach Neil Henry is hoping they will be of joy for Cowboys fans as North Queensland look to seal an unlikely finals berth.
“It’s a massive game as far as the club is concerned but I am sure Matthew’s focus is on the team result rather than his individual night,” Henry said.
“It is a celebration … of a one team man who is synonymous with north Queensland.
“He’s a small man in a big man’s game. There’s a lot of courage and bravery there in that position but also to come back from the setbacks of the double operation to his knee.
“He has proved that through hard work in conjunction with our medical team he could come back and play good footy.”
The Cowboys can pull off what seemed an improbable top eight finish with victory – a result that will no doubt prompt blushes from board members who decided Henry’s services would not be required at season’s end just five weeks ago.
While Henry said the night would toast Bowen, who is yet to decide whether he will play one more year in England, they hoped to also be popping champagne over a finals berth with their sixth straight win.
“It (Bowen’s milestone) can be an added incentive,” Henry said of the 31 year-old who last week was told by North Queensland his contract would not be renewed.
“And we are a bit emotional at the moment in the way that we have had to win games (to stay alive in the finals race).
“But you need focus and not think too far ahead.”
Henry knows the Wests Tigers want to send out Marshall a winner after 10 years in the black and gold – especially after seeing the Tigers jump to a big lead against ladder leaders South Sydney last round only to lose.
“It’s a dangerous game for us,” Henry said.
“They showed what they could do last week.
“And there’s no next week for them. I am sure their young squad will be out to back up Benji in his last game in Tigers colours.”