For the second time in seven weeks Queenslanders will be treated to a rematch between last year’s Grand Finalists. With the last two matches between these sides decided in golden point, will history continued to be made? An enthralling match awaits.
LAST TIME OUT
Both sides featured in the double header last Saturday night at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.
First up was the North Queensland Cowboys when they took on the Melbourne Storm. In the early stages there was concern for a limping Matt Scott. He only ended up playing forty-six minutes of the game. Signs early looked good with Gavin Cooper crossing early after applying pressure on the inexperienced Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu . However by the break it was the Storm ahead 12-8. Michael Morgan’s try fourteen minutes after half-time leveled scores until Cameron Smith broke the deadlock nine minutes from time with his match winning field goal. Plenty of talk during the game about Smith’s approach to the referees with Andrew Voss and Matthew Johns having differing opinions on the matter. The loss dropped North Queensland to fourth on the table at the end of round ten.
Brisbane were looking to join Melbourne on sixteen points and as join competition leaders when they faced Manly Sea Eagles. It was quite evident early that Brisbane were on top with tries to Darius Boyd and Anthony Milford within the first twenty minutes of the game giving them a 12-0 lead. It got to 20-0 before a lone try to Sea Eagle Marty Tapau gave the ‘home’ side their only success for the evening. Tapau’s night was controversial as he went on a one-man mission to take down the Broncos. His dangerous throw on Matt Gillett saw the former Tiger outed for three matches. Brisbane’s win kept them in first place on points differential, with Cronulla’s 62-0 win over Newcastle bumping them into second spot ahead of Melbourne.
Last time these two teams met was in Round 4 at Suncorp Stadium. Here’s our look at the Four Points to come out of that game.
KEY BATTLE
With Origin selection looming, the fullback battle between Lachlan Coote and Darius Boyd could be a prelude to the opening game on June 1. Coote is a Penrith junior who moved to Townsville for a new start. Horribly injured in the inaugural Auckland Nines, he fought hard to become the Cowboys regular fullback in 2015. On top of the success of last year’s premiership, Coote has grown in confidence and is happy to play as a third play maker up in the line when his side is on the attack. It comes down to Matt Moylan, Josh Dugan, or Coote for the Blues number one jumper. It would be no surprise if he’s Laurie Daley’s selection. On the other side, Darius Boyd will be the Queensland Origin fullback when the side is named. After a somewhat mixed time with the Knights, Boyd’s return to Brisbane has been superb as the Broncos went on the charge to last year’s grand final. All the past off-field troubles are well behind the twenty-eight year old who is in career best form.
Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston will resume their battle against Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford. This battle could have provided a big headache for Queensland selectors too, however Hunt and Milford have been ‘banned’ from Origin this year by new Queensland coach Kevin Walters after disobeying curfew during Emerging Origin camp.
The engine room battle will be important in the early stages. Josh McGuire and Adam Blair represented their respective countries in Newcastle during the ANZAC Test. Blair back from a week’s suspension for a ‘chicken wing’ tackle on Sam Thiaday in the international. Andrew McCullough would be in the Queensland Origin team if it wasn’t for Australian and Queensland captain Cameron Smith. Then you look at the other side of the ledger with Matt Scott, James Tamou and Jake Granville. Granville leaving Brisbane to find regular NRL time at Townsville. While McCullough is a defensive type hooker, Granville has some flair out of dummy half. Whoever takes the advantage here will play a huge part in their side’s chances.
PREDICTION
There’s not too much between these two sides on paper and only one win separates each of them on the ladder. Brisbane haven’t won in Townsville since 2013 and go into this game as the underdogs. I’m prepared to back the Broncos to break their drought who will have a well prepared game to ensure the world’s best halfback in Johnathan Thurston is kept quiet.
Broncos by 7.
SQUADS
Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote 2 Kyle Feldt 3 Justin O’Neill 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Johnathan Thurston 8 Matt Scott 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo Interchange: 14 Rory Kostjasyn 15 Patrick Kaufusi 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd 2 Corey Ooates 3 Jack Reed 4 James Roberts 5 Jordan Kahu 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGguire 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Adam Blair 11 Alex Glenn 12 Matthew Gillett 13 Corey Parker Interchange: 14 Jarrod Wallace 15 Sam Thaiday 16 Joseph Ofahengaue 17 Kodi Nikorima
Venue: 1300 Smiles Stadium
Kick-off: Friday 7:50pm
