Bulldogs v Cowboys: Tupouniua in for Kikau; Laybutt steps up
They may be the only team to beat the Panthers this season but in the past two weeks the Bulldogs have beaten themselves in sloppy losses to the Eels and Broncos.
Cameron Ciraldo's men have conceded 70 points and committed 27 errors in the two games following that Panthers triumph and they will need to lift big time against the unpredictable Cowboys.
The Cowboys have showcased some brilliant attack across the opening eight rounds but they have the worst defence of any team currently in the top eight and they won't get any reprieve on Friday with Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Jason Taumalolo coming at them.
When the sides clashed in 2025 it was a relatively subdued affair with the Bulldogs prevailing 12-8 but many more points are on offer this week with the game being played at breakneck pace and momentum playing such a massive role.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Bulldogs
10th Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Bulldogs: Viliame Kikau (pectoral) has been replaced in the back row by Sitili Tupouniua with Josh Curran added to the bench. Enari Tuala's return on the wing from a hamstring injury sees Marcelo Montoya drop to the bench. The loss of Harry Hayes to suspension brings Lipoi Hopoi into the squad. Utility Sean O'Sullivan is listed among the reserves after serving a suspension incurred in NSW Cup.
Cowboys: Zac Laybutt comes in on the wing for Murray Taulagi (concussion). Jeremiah Nanai is named to start with Thomas Mikaele on the bench but they may swap on game day as they did last week. Teenager Mason Barber is part of the six-man interchange as he closes in on an NRL debut.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan SuaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel HughesProp for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh CurranInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Lipoi HopoiInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake TurpinInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Marcelo MontoyaInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Matthew Lodge
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Alekolasimi JonesInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Mason Barber
Reserves
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Sean O'SullivanReserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'Donnell
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Logan SpinksReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Kaiden Lahrs
-
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jethro RinakamaReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Robert Derby
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Enari Tuala
- Lipoi Hopoi
- Logan Spinks
- Sean O'Sullivan
Cowboys Ins
- Kai O'Donnell
- Kaiden Lahrs
- Mason Barber
- Robert Derby
Bulldogs Outs
- Harry Hayes
- Viliame Kikau
Cowboys Ins
- Murray Taulagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last five games at Accor Stadium.
- The Cowboys have won four of their past six games against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
- Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored five tries in his last six games at Accor Stadium.
- The Bulldogs are ranked 16th in attack after eight rounds
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
