Dylan Jhugroo previews the Round 4 clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Gold Coast Titans.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Date: Sunday March 25, 5:30pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Cowboys: 1. Tom Chester 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Coen Hess 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Heilum Luki 16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 17. James Tamou 18. Brendan Elliot 19. Riley Price 20. Mitchell Dunn 21. Laitia Moceidreke 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Jayden Campbell 15. Jo Vuna 16. Erin Clark 17. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 18. Klese Haas 19. Sam McIntyre 20. Toby Sexton 21. Keano Kini 22. Treymain Spry
Referee: Chris Butler
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
With all the headlines about Brisbane’s newest rivalry kicking off this week, it’s easy to forget that there’s another Queensland derby that we’ll be treated to in Round 4. The North Queensland Cowboys will play host to a Gold Coast Titans side looking to make it upset wins in back-to-back weeks.
The Cowboys were embarrassed at home last week against the New Zealand Warriors, who put five tries on a side whose success last season was proudly built on a strong defensive mindset. It wasn’t North Queensland’s best day with ball in hand either, making only one line break compared to the Warriors’ seven. To make matters worse, Origin forward Reuben Cotter is out of the side, and is expected to “miss 2-4 weeks” after suffering a meniscus injury in Round 3.
On the other side of the park, the Gold Coast Titans are bookies outsiders, despite coming off a 38-34 win against Melbourne that very few saw coming. Halfback Tanah Boyd responded to the pressure of a disappointing Round 2 performance to kick for nearly three times as many meters as anyone else on the field. That being said, the opposition that night made 17 errors, which is a luxury highly unlikely to be afforded to the Titans two weeks in a row.
KEY POSITIONAL MATCH UP: The try-scoring backrower can be one of the more intriguing elements of rugby league. They force defensive attention away from the outside backs, creating space out wide for their centres and wingers to finish off opportunities, while presenting a threat themselves.
This game will see Jeremiah Nanai and David Fifita, the highest-scoring forwards of 2022 and 2021 respectively, go toe-to-toe to answer the question of who’s the most explosive backrower north of the border. Both forwards managed 17 tries in their career-best seasons, and either one could be the difference come Sunday night.
UNDER PRESSURE: Jordan McLean struggled to leave his mark on last week’s game, managing only 76 running meters, 22 of which were off a surprise kick return. The Cowboys aren’t a side who lack young forwards coming through, and the former premiership-winning star at Melbourne risks losing his starting spot if his figures don’t improve.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Cowboys 7, Titans 3
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Cowboys by four points.
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