2023 NRL Preview Round 16: Cowboys Vs Panthers

Coming off the bye, the Cowboys host the shorthanded Panthers who are looking to hold onto top spot.

MATCHDAY NEWS

MATCHDAY SCHEDULE

North Queensland Cowboys Vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Date: Friday June 16, 8:00pm

MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Zac Laybutt 4. Peta Hiku 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Coen Hess 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Heilum Luki 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Griffin Neame 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Mitchell Dunn 21. Thomas Duffy 22. Jake Bourke

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Tyrone Peachey 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Zac Hosking 13. Matt Eisenhuth 14. Soni Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner 18. Jack Cogger 19. Liam Henry 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Eddie Blacker 22. Jesse Maclean

Referee: Peter Gough

Embed from Getty Images

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

Both teams have a number of players missing this week due to Origin duties. For the Cowboys, Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai are out. However, Jason Taumalolo finally returns this week in a big boost to the side. Kyle Feldt is back on the wing, with Zac Laybutt at centre while Jake Granville will start at hooker. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Sam McIntyre join the bench.

Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o are all named in the NSW squad so therefore won’t feature in this match. Jaeman Salmon will partner Jack Cogger in the halves, Thomas Jenkins has been named for his second NRL match on the wing with Tyrone Peachey slotting in at centre. Matthew Eisenhuth is set to start at lock with Luke Garner named on the bench for his first top grade appearance since Round 4.

The Cowboys will enter this match fresh and with plenty of confidence after their last-start 45-20 win over the Storm. Despite sitting 14th on the ladder, the Cowboys have a solid record at home, winning five of their seven matches.

The Panthers were once again dominant in a physical battle against the Roosters last week, coming away with a 30-6 win. It’s once again a chance to boast their depth, and the biggest test will be on their forward pack to nullify Taumalolo who will be looking to make a statement in his first appearance since Round 7.

Penrith’s stellar defensive record has remained consistent all season, but pressure will be on the back-up halves pairing of Salmon and Cogger in attack. The defending premiers’ attack is yet to really take off, so time will tell whether they have the ability to pile on the points against a Cowboys defence that leaked 66 points against the Tigers just four weeks ago.

LAST TEN MATCHES

Panthers 6, Cowboys 4

MATCHDAY PREDICTION

Cowboys by 2 points.

Follow Nothing But Rugby League on Facebook