Cowboys v Titans: Neame in for Cotter; Holbrook sticks solid
North Queensland play host to the Titans in a second Queensland derby in Round 4 and will bring the same amount of rivalry as the much-anticipated clash between the Dolphins and Broncos.
The Titans will be bouncing into training this week full of confidence after running in three tries in seven minutes to defeat Melbourne last week while the Cowboys will be hoping to make amends with their fans after falling to the Warriors at home.
The Cowboys have struggled to produce an 80-minute performance in their opening three games, with only one second-half scored compared to seven conceded and coach Todd Payten will be hoping to shore up their defensive efforts ahead of Saturday's Queensland derby.
Meanwhile, Justin Holbrook's Titans have been one of the surprise packets so far this season, sitting sixth on the ladder heading into Round 4.
With a barnstorming forward pack laying the platform for halves Kieran Foran and Tannah Boyd to enjoy some freedom in attack but the Gold Coast men will need to find another gear if they're to overcome the Cowboys faithful, having one only one of their past 10 matches in Townsville.
Expect plenty of great clashes across the park with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita squaring off with Reuben Cotter and Coen Hess, while Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend against Boyd and Foran in the halves should be an intriguing battle between speed and experience.
Match: Cowboys v Titans
Round 4 -
home Team
Cowboys
12th Position
away Team
Titans
8th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. Griffin Neame starts at prop in place of Reuben Cotter, who faces 2-4 weeks out with a knee injury. Veteran prop James Tamou joins the bench. Tom Chester keeps the fullback job in the absence of Scott Drinkwater (suspended). Forward Mitch Dunn has recovered from his ACL injury and will have another hit-out in Queensland Cup for the Blackhawks on Saturday. He was omitted from Todd Payten's squad on Friday along with Laitia Moceidreke and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Titans: The Titans are 1-17 with no late changes. On the back of a strong win over the Storm in Round 4, coach Justin Holbrook named the same 17-man squad. Chris Randall again takes the hooking duties in Sam Verrills' absence while Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui and Jo Vuna retain their spots after solid showings last week.
Match: Cowboys v Titans
Round 4 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Tom ChesterFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Gehamat ShibasakiCentre for Titans is number 4 Aaron Schoupp
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin NeameProp for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Coen Hess2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Titans is number 14 Jayden Campbell
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Heilum LukiInterchange for Titans is number 15 Joe Vuna
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownInterchange for Titans is number 16 Erin Clark
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 James TamouInterchange for Titans is number 17 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Brendan ElliotReplacement for Titans is number 18 Klese Haas
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won 12 of their past 15 games against the Titans.
- The Titans have won only one of their past 11 games in Townsville.
- Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored 12 tries from his past 13 games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- Titans fullback Alexander Brimson has scored seven tries in eight games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has scored eight tries from 11 games against the Titans.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
