Todd Warren previews another Queensland derby as the Cowboys face off against the Titans in Townsville.
TEAM NEWS
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Date: Sunday March 28, Time: 5:15pm
Cowboys Team
- Scott Drinkwater
- Murray Taulagi
- Esan Marsters
- Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
- Valentine Holmes
- Michael Morgan (c)
- Jake Clifford
- Francis Molo
- Reece Robson
- Jordan McLean
- Mitchell Dunn
- Coen Hess
- Reuben Cotter
- Jake Granville
- Josh McGuire
- Corey Jensen
- Lachlan Burr
- Justin O’Neill
- Shane Wright
- Peter Hola
- Ben Hampton
Team Changes
IN: Murray Taulagi
OUT: Kyle Feldt
Titans Team
- AJ Brimson
- Anthony Don
- Phillip Sami
- Patrick Herbert
- Corey Thompson
- Tanah Boyd
- Jamal Fogarty (c)
- Jarrod Wallace
- Mitch Rein
- Moeaki Fotuaika
- Kevin Proctor
- David Fifita
- Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
- Tyrone Peachey
- Sam Lisone
- Jaimin Jolliffe
- Erin Clark
- Beau Fermor
- Herman Ese’ese
- Sam McIntyre
- Sam Stone
Team Changes
IN: Tanah Boyd
OUT: Ash Taylor
Referee: Peter Gough
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Cowboys
Kyle Feldt copped two weeks on the sideline for his tackle on Jack Bird last week, and Murray Taulagi takes his place on the wing. Reuben Cotter is still at lock with Josh McGuire named on the bench as an impact player. Coen Hess is on a light training schedule after a burner against the Dragons but is expected to play.
To be honest, I forgot how bad the Cowboys have been until I looked up how they’ve gone since the start of last season. They started 2020 pretty well, with two wins from their first three games, but apart from that their only wins came against the Knights, Broncos and a Golden Point win over the Dragons. That’s five wins from their last 22 games and they’re winless in 2021.
They looked a bit better against the Dragons, but St George Illawarra were simply too strong and ran over the top of them.
Titans
Ash Taylor is out a few weeks and joins Brian Kelly on the sidelines. Tanah Boyd comes in at halfback while Philip Sami starts at centre again.
The Titans finally seemed to click against the Broncos last week, with a two-try performance from David Fifita to give them a 28-16 win. They still made lots of errors though, so will need to get that out of their game before we get too far into the season.
PREVIEW
While the Titans have had a lot of errors through the first two rounds, there is a team that has had more and that is the Cowboys. The Cowboys missed Jason Taumalolo last week: not just his impact but also his experience in the forward pack. Kyle Feldt is also a big loss. I might be in the minority here, but I rate Feldt as one of the best wingers in the NRL and his kick-offs can cause havoc to opposing teams when they don’t sail out on the full.
Ash Taylor being out is unfortunate as he’s definitely getting over the patchy form he’s had over the last few seasons. It’s a big test for Tanah Boyd, but Jamal Fogarty will likely lead the team around anyway. If Fifita keeps up his form from last week it could get ugly for the Cowboys, and big Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will be damaging in the middle of the field. I can see a lot of bombs going out to Anthony Don on the wing, lined up against Valentine Holmes, but that’s been a big part of the Titans’ game plan the last few years. Tyrone Peachey has started the season very well off the bench and will no doubt trouble the tired Cowboys forwards at the back end of the half.
KEY STAT
Apart from round 13 last season, which the Titans won 30-10, the Cowboys had beat the Titans 10 times in a row.
PREDICTION
Sorry, Cowboys fans.
Titans by 18.
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