NRL 2023, North Queensland Cowboys, Wests Tigers, round 18 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 1 Jul 2023, 04:31 PM

The Cowboys have found their mojo with wins over three of last year's finalists in consecutive weeks and now find themselves just two points outside the top eight.

After putting 45 points on the Storm in Round 14 the Cowboys outlasted Penrith in a golden point thriller and then piled on five tries in a 31-6 demolition of the Rabbitohs.

With their back three of Scott Drinkwater, Semi Valemei and Murray Taulagi combining for 575 running metres the Cowboys got on the front foot early and dominated the Rabbitohs, but fresh in coach Todd Payten's mind will be the fact the Tigers embarrassed his men 66-18 at Leichhardt Oval just six weeks ago.

That worst loss in Payten's time at the club saw the Cowboys plummet to 14th on the table but their revival has been impressive and they look to keep the roll going against the Tigers before a bye in Round 19 and a clash with the Sea Eagles in Round 20.

In the absence of key playmakers Luke Brooks and Api Koroisau, the Tigers will turn to David Klemmer and John Bateman for leadership as they look to climb out of the cellar and avoid consecutive wooden spoons.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Cowboys v Wests Tigers

Team News

Cowboys: Captain Jason Taumalolo (hamstring) is good to go and joins the bench in place of Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. There are no other late changes, with Blues hooker Reece Robson OK to start after suffering his own hamstring issue last week. Kyle Feldt is the 18th man.

Wests Tigers: Just one change from the 17 named on Tuesday, which sees Alex Seyfarth come onto the bench and Asu Kepaoa drop back to be the replacement player. Daine Laurie comes in at five-eighth for his first game since Round 4, so Starford To'a moves back to the centres. Young hooker Tallyn Da Silva retains his place with Api Koroisau (jaw) sidelined.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 1 Jul

Full Time

Cowboys

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shawn Blore
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 John Bateman

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Alex Seyfarth

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Kyle Feldt

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Nick Morel
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:45 AM

Stat Attack

The Cowboys have the highest missed tackle count (601) in the NRL while the Tigers have missed the least tackes (382).
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has come up with 16 try assists in 13 games. Brandon Wakeham is the Tigers' best with five.
The biggest win in Cowboys history was against the Tigers in Round 22, 2014... 64-6 at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville.
The Cowboys have won six from eight at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in 2023.
Wests Tigers have won three of their past four games in Townsville.
The Cowboys have scored 103 points in consecutive wins over the Storm, Panthers and Rabbitohs.
Tigers centre Starford To’a has scored four tries in his past four games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has scored seven tries in 10 games against Wests Tigers.