NRL 2023, New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys, round 7 preview, official team lists, updates, injuries

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 15 Apr 2023, 02:04 PM

The Warriors and Cowboys lock horns on Saturday looking to bounce back after losses in Round 6.

In their only other game in Auckland this season the Warriors snuck past the Bulldogs 14-12 and they'll be keen to make Mt Smart a fortress after two years away from their home base during the pandemic.

The Cowboys failed to make the most of their home ground advantage on Good Friday, suffering a 32-22 loss to the Dolphins at Queensland Country Bank Stadium to slip to 2-4 on the season

Just a month ago these two sides met in Townsville and it was the vastly improved Warriors outfit coming away with a 26-12 victory on the back of five-star showings from playmakers Shaun Johnson and Te Maire Martin.

Now in his 13th season in the NRL, Johnson is running and stunning with the best of them, laying on six try assists and seven line break assists in a stellar start to the campaign.

If the Warriors' forwards gain the ascendancy on home soil and lay a platform for Johnson then the 32-year-old will prove a real handful for a Cowboys outfit conceding 25 points per game.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Saturday 15 Apr

Full Time

Warriors

Cowboys

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Highlights Latest

Team News

Warriors: A late change on game day with Viliame Vailea dropping out so Marcelo Montoya moves to centre and veteran Dallin Watene-Zelezniak comes in on the wing in No.18. Jazz Tevaga and Josh Curran will start the game with Bunty Afoa and Bayley Sironen reverting to the bench. Coach Andrew Webster declared on Friday that skipper Tohu Harris will make a return from a knee injury after two false starts. Tevaga could spend some time at hooker with Wayde Egan (concussion) ruled out and Freddy Lussick called in.

Cowboys: Late changes for Todd Payten with Jack Gosiewski to make his club debut in the back row in jersey No.18 and Jake Granville also coming into the starting side. Coen Hess moves to the middle and Reuben Cotter and Mitch Dunn go back to the bench. Riley Price is now 18th man. Winger Murray Taulagi makes an early return from injury so Brendan Elliot drops out of the side. Jeremiah Nanai is also back from suspension.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Saturday 15 Apr

Full Time

Warriors

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
Centre for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
Winger for Warriors is number 18 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Dylan Walker

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Cowboys is number 11 Coen Hess
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy Lussick

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga

Prop for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 18 Jack Gosiewski
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Cowboys is number 8 Mitchell Dunn
Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen

Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Reuben Cotter
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Taine Tuaupiki

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tom Chester
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Demitric Sifakula

Replacement for Cowboys is number 17 Riley Price

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:52 AM

Stat Attack

The Warriors have won three of their past four games in New Zealand.
The Cowboys will play in New Zealand for the first time since 2019.
Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has scored five tries in five games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored 13 tries in 12 games against the Warriors.
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson requires two points for 500 points at Mt Smart Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.