Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 8 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, Townsville
Date: Saturday April 26, 5:30pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Kai O’Donnell 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Zac Laybutt 20. Thomas Duffy 21. Karl Lawton 22. Thomas Mikaele
Titans: 1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tom Weaver 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. David Fifita 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. Brock Gray 17. Arama Hau 18. Tony Francis 19. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Allan Fitzgibbon 22. Josiah Pahulu
Referee: Chris Butler
Bunker: Kasey Badger
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Queensland’s two middle children come face-to-face as the Cowboys host the Titans in Townsville on Saturday afternoon. The Cowboys come into this match-up in ninth and with a win could find themselves sitting in the top eight, while the Titans have had their fair share of struggles in recent weeks, sitting further down the ladder in 13th and sliding on current form.
The Cowboys come into this match-up on the back of three straight wins and have had a week’s rest to prepare that should see the home side primed and ready to take it to the Titans come kickoff; the Titans are looking to reverse their recent form as they seek to halt a three-game free fall down the ladder and return to the winners circle for the first time since round 4.
The Cowboys had a slow start to the year but have hit their straps recently, and it largely comes down to the work of their spine, namely fullback Scott Drinkwater. He is well known for his creativity and playmaking but he really took the game to the Bunnies in their last start, tucking the ball under his arm with 23 runs for 180 metres. If Drinkwater maintains the constant threat of his running game, it will open up opportunities for him to use his elite passing game to find his wingers in plenty of open space.
Rampaging back rower David Fifita returns for the Titans after missing last week’s loss to the Raiders. He was at his absolute best against the Dragons, running for over 200 metres, breaking 10 tackles while making 25 of his own with only one missed. If the heavily criticized forward can even come close to recreating this stellar level of play, the Cowboys’ edge defence is in for tough time trying to stop him once he gets rolling.
The Cowboys have an even record against their little brothers from the glitter strip, with a five-and-five record over their last 10 encounters. History would tell you the Cowboys have the advantage heading into this match-up, with the home side having sent their fans happy on eight of the last 10 games between these two sides.
In team list news, John Bateman returns for the Cowboys in the back row which sees Kai O’Donnell shift back to the bench, while the Titans welcome back Fifita, with Klese Haas making way, and speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira returns from injury to take his place on the left wing.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Cowboys by 8 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Follow Us on Facebook
