NRL 2023, North Queensland Cowboys, Parramatta Eels, round 21 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 22 Jul 2023, 06:34 PM

Two of the hottest teams in the NRL go head-to-head in a mouth-watering Saturday night clash in Townsville that has huge top-eight ramifications.

The Cowboys have won five on the trot to put themselves right back in finals contention while the Eels have won six of their past seven to climb to seventh on the ladder.

Todd Payten's men are coming off a strong win over the Sea Eagles in enemy territory, with Maroons stars Val Holmes and Reuben Cotter backing up in style just 72 hours after Origin III.

With a massive crowd behind them the Cowboys will be confident of making it six straight but Queensland Country Bank Stadium holds no fears for the Eels after a 24-20 win in last year's preliminary final in Townsville propelled them into the decider.

The Eels have recovered strongly after sitting 14th with a 4-7 record after 11 rounds but face a gruelling run home with games against the Storm, Broncos and Panthers still to come.

The Cowboys also come up against the Broncos and Panthers in the run home but with three of their next four games in Townsville they have a golden opportunity to surge into the top eight and have the top sides looking over their shoulder.

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Team News

Cowboys: No changes for the home side as Todd Payten goes with the same 17 that took care of business against Manly. Maroons star Reuben Cotter has been named to start and Jake Granville goes to the bench. Edge forward Heilum Luki (facial fracture) is a chance to return in Round 22.

Eels: Winger Maika Sivo (suspension) has been ruled out after he failed to get a downgrade on a Careless High Tackle charge and he has been replaced by Waqa Blake. The four-game ban handed to prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard sees Ofahiki Ogden start at prop for the fourth time this season.

Round 21 - Round 21 - Saturday 22 Jul

Full Time

Cowboys

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei

Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku

Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey Simonsson
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Eels is number 20 Waqa Blake
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn Asi
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Eels is number 8 Ofahiki Ogden
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Andrew Davey
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ryan Matterson

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Replacement for Eels is number 19 Makahesi Makatoa

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:43 AM

Stat Attack

The Eels average 544 post-contact metres per game, the best in the NRL. The Cowboys rank 13th with 480 per game.
Eels back-rower J'maine Hopgood leads the NRL in offloads with 41 and Parra's tally of 226 is the most by any team. The Cowboys have 130 offloads.
The Cowboys have won their past five games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Eels have won four of their past five games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his past four games.
Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored seven tries in his past four games.
Cowboys utility Jake Granville will make his 200th NRL appearance.