Friday‘s NRL 2017 Round 25 match is between Wests Tigers and Nth Queensland Cowboys. The opening kick is set to commence at 20:00 local time with the game to be played at GIO Stadium. The away team Nth Queensland Cowboys are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Wests Tigers and Nth Queensland Cowboys.

When: 20:00 | Friday 25/08/2017

Where: GIO Stadium

Preview:

The Tigers’ farewell tour rolls on with fullback James Tedesco and skipper Aaron Woods set to play their last match for the club at Campbelltown before they depart at the end of this season. The Cowboys are struggling with injuries which have underpinned a concerning form slump at the business end of the season. They’ll have to get past a Tigers side in season-best touch to arrest a four-game losing streak.

Key: Gavin Cooper, Antonio Winterstein and Lachlan Coote are set to bolster a Cowboys side needing just one win to seal a finals berth. That motivation, at home, should see the Cowboys get past an improved Tigers side.

Tip: Cowboys

Odds:

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

Tip: Nth Queensland Cowboys at $1.62

Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Kyle Feldt at $12.00

More Info:

Head to Head: Tigers 18 Cowboys 15

Last clash: Round 6, 2017 – Tigers 26 bt Cowboys 16 at 1300SMILES Stadium

Tab: Tigers $1.90 Cowboys $1.90

FootyTAB: Cowboys +0.5

Teams:

Wests Tigers:

1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Esan Marsters 4. Kevin Naiqama 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 6. Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Matt McIlwrick 10. Tim Grant 11. Michael Chee-Kam 12. Josh Aloiai 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Alex Twal 15. Sauaso Sue 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Jack Littlejohn 18. Joel Edwards 19. Ava Seumanufagai 20. Jj Felise 21. Watson Heleta

Players cut: TBC

Cowboys:

1. Ben Hampton 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. Corey Jensen 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Coen Hess 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. John Asiata 15. Shane Wright 16. Patrick Mago 17. Shaun Fensom 18. Gavin Cooper 19. Lachlan Coote 20. Kyle Laybutt 21. Enari Tuala

Players cut: TBC

NRL News:

Jarryd Hayne says the tipping point in his relationship with sacked Gold Coast coach Neil Henry was a media report which said the mentor didn’t support signing him.

Surprising journalists with an unscheduled media conference before training on Wednesday, Hayne said the newspaper article was the basis of the pair’s public falling out.

Henry was sacked on Monday with club boss Graham Annesley attributing the fractured relationship between coach and star player as a factor in the decision.

Hayne denied the pair had any “verbal arguments” but made of point of expressing his disappointment at what he alleged to be a “relationship” between Henry and a News Corp journalist.

“There was an article at the start of the year I felt, if someone had an issue, they could speak to me about it rather than going through a journalist,” Hayne said.

“For it to happen again really took me over the edge … that was something that was very disappointing.

“It’s disappointing from my point of view, with my coach, my head coach, having a journalist that he has a relationship with.

“I’d rather Neil just tell me instead of a journalist write it.”

Hayne said he told Henry he was unhappy with the unsourced newspaper article that said he had a poor attitude at training.

He then spoke to a journalist himself and said he would leave the club if he wasn’t wanted.

The ensuing article prompted crisis meetings between Hayne and Henry and club hierarchy before an emergency board meeting that eventually led to the coach’s sacking.

Hayne said constant focus on his relationship with Henry, being described as a “coach killer”, had not really bothered him.

But the 29-year-old did feel for his teammates, hence Wednesday’s impromptu media call.

“It hasn’t been that bad because I understand the media; they sell papers, not write truths and that’s something I’ve become accustomed to,” Hayne said.

“It’s more my teammates getting asked questions of me, being under the pump with repeated questions.

“I thought I’d just speak up and answer questions about what you guys think was going on.”

Hayne is hopeful of returning from an ankle injury to play against Canterbury on Saturday, acknowledging his form before missing last round’s Parramatta clash had not been acceptable.

“The last few games I was really disappointed that I wasn’t there mentally, that’s something I really pride myself on,” he said.

“We’ve had a rough year but the last home game in front of fans is something to focus on.”