NRL 2023, North Queensland Cowboys, Brisbane Broncos, round 23 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 5 Aug 2023, 02:02 PM

The last time the Broncos won the minor premiership their coach Kevin Walters was captain and the great Darren Lockyer was causing havoc from the fullback position.

With Walters now guiding the club's fortunes and Reece Walsh the new No.1 gun at Red Hill, the Broncos have given themselves a huge chance of finishing on top for the first time since 2000.

They went on to win the premiership that season so the omens are good for a Brisbane side that has won seven of its last eight and racked up 112 points across the past three weeks in disposing of the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs.

The Cowboys had been every bit as impressive during the past six weeks but hit a hurdle at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday when their much-vaunted attack failed to fire and they fell to the Titans.

Just two competition points separate the Rabbitohs in sixth and the Eels in 11th so every match from here on in shapes as a mini-final for sides like the Cowboys, who sit eighth on 26 points.

If they can rebound against one of the genuine premiership contenders this week they can set themselves up for a late charge at a top-four finish but a loss could drop them down as far as 11th on the ladder.

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Team news

Cowboys: Just the one forced change from the squad named mid-week, which sees Kyle Feldt come in for the suspended Val Holmes. Griffin Neame (head knock) and Heilum Luki (facial fracture) both return via the bench, while powerhouse Jason Taumalolo is back in the starting side as a prop.

Broncos: No further late changes after halfback Adam Reynolds (groin) and bench forward Kobe Hetherington (back cork) withdrew from the squad on Friday morning and were replaced by Jock Madden and Xavier Willison respectively. Brendan Piakura (illness) and Jesse Arthars (suspension) return to action, while Jordan Riki is the 18th man after being included in the squad for the first time since suffering a foot injury in Round 17.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Saturday 5 Aug

Full Time

Cowboys

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Jesse Arthars
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
Centre for Cowboys is number 19 Kyle Feldt

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Halfback for Broncos is number 21 Jock Madden

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas Flegler
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Brendan Piakura
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Tyson Smoothy
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Corey Jensen
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Heilum Luki

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Keenan Palasia
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown

Interchange for Broncos is number 19 Xavier Willison

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 21 Brendan Elliot

Replacement for Broncos is number 20 Jordan Riki

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Nick Morel
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:42 AM

Stat attack

Rival fullbacks Scott Drinkwater and Reece Walsh both sit in the top five for try assists in 2023, Drinkwater leads the NRL with 23 and Walsh has 18.
Only Parramatta (507) have scored more points this season than the Broncos (504).
The Cowboys have won their past six games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Broncos have scored 144 points in their past four games.
Cowboys left winger Murray Taulagi has scored five tries in his past three games at QCB Stadium.
Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has scored six tries in his past eight games.
Right winger Semi Valemei has scored eight tries in seven games for the Cowboys.