Queensland Day: Cowboys v Dolphins; Broncos v Titans
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It's Queensland Day - the anniversary of Queensland's breakaway from NSW in 1859 - we have a Maroons derby double that is also effectively a play-off for Origin spots.
The Cowboys and Dolphins kick things off before a sold-out Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville and then we head south to Brisbane for the showdown between the Broncos and Titans.
The Dolphins hit top gear against the Rabbitohs and Raiders before putting their feet up and recharging with a bye while the Cowboys are out to find some consistency after going W-L-W-W-L since Round 9.
There's no better place than home for Todd Payten's men to turn on one of their attacking masterclasses and that's also what the under-siege Broncos are chasing as they look to continue their Suncorp Stadium dominance over the Titans.
In the 20 meetings at The Cauldron since 2007, the Broncos have taken the chocolates 14 times compared to just six for the Titans, although the boys from the Glitter Strip have won two of the past three at Suncorp.
Follow all the action from Round 14 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
Cowboys v Dolphins at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Match: Cowboys v Dolphins
Round 14 -
home Team
Cowboys
9th Position
away Team
Dolphins
6th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Cowboys v Dolphins: Round 14
Brilliant Bostock: The Dolphins centre is a constant threat to the Cowboys defence and has laid on two tries in style with a no look inside pass for Katoa and a tap on for Isaako.
Cobbo v Chester: The Dolphins and Queensland winger swooped on a dropped ball by the Cowboys centre to race away and score but Chester got one back with quick reflexes to ground the ball after Cobbo knocked it out of his hands.
Halftime stats: The Dolphins are dominating possession and field position after completing 21 of 23 sets (91%) to 15 of 18 sets by the Cowboys (83%). The Dolphins have ran a massive 1076m with the ball compared to 635m by the Cowboys. The home side have only come from behind at halftime to win once this season - in Round 4 against Melbourne.
39 min: Chester has been placed on report for a high shot on Cobbo.
38 min: The Dolphins have got out of jail again through a successful captain's challenge after Herbie Farnworth lost the ball near his own line but the Bunker found a high tackle by Neame.
35 min: Katoa scores himself after a no-look inside pass from Bostock following a lost ball by Jaxon Purdue in a driving tackle by Kurt Donoghoe. Isaako missed the conversion. Dolphins 16 Cowboys 10.
Isaiya Katoa Try
30 min: Katoa combines with centre Jack Bostock, who caught and passed in one motion for Isaako to step inside and score. Isaako converted from out wide. Dolphins 12 Cowboys 10.
Jamayne Isaako Try
28 min: Kiwis forward Griffin Neame produced a trysaving tackle but the Dolphins have continued to apply the pressure after Isaiya Katoa forced a goal line drop out with a deftly placed grubber.
27 min: Another big captain's challenge with the Dolphins overturning a disruptor call with the Bunker finding instead that Cowboys hooker Reed Mahoney had been guilty of an escort.
23 min: More ill discipline from the Dolphins with Tom Gilbert picking up a loose ball in an offside position.
20 min: Chester has got one back over Cobbo after the Maroons winger knocked the ball from his grasp as he reached out to score but the Cowboys centre showed lightning reflexes to ground it with his left hand. Clifford converted. Cowboys 10 Dolphins 6.
Tom Chester Try
15 min: Murray Taulagi has made the Dolphins pay when he planted the ball in the corner after quick hands created an overlap out wide. Jake Clifford missed the sideline conversion. Dolphins 6 Cowboys 4.
Murray Taulagi Try
13 min: It's been all the Dolphins so far but the Cowboys have a chance to change momentum after winning a captain's challenge after Zac Laybutt lost the ball. Flegler was penalised for a crusher tackle.
6 min: Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo has ran 90 metres to score after picking up a loose ball and fending off Tom Chester. Jamayne Isaako converted. Dolphins 6-0
Selwyn Cobbo Try
Kick-off: Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow fields the kick-off and passes off to Queensland team-mate Tom Flegler for the first run of the game.
Late Mail
Cowboys: Prop Tom Mikaele will take his place in the team despite leaving the field last week with a leg injury. Soni Luke is also set to return from a knee injury, with Reuben Cotter back on deck after being rested in Round 13. Coen Hess will play his 200th NRL game. Forward Greig Wiremu joins the bench in place of winger Robert Derby in the only change to the squad named earlier in the week.
Dolphins: Jeremy Marshall-King will start at hooker in a swap with Max Plath, who goes to the bench but the side is otherwise 1-19 as named on Tuesday. Herbie Farnworth and Kodi Nikorima will make their comebacks from hamstring injuries in a major boost for the Dolphins. Farnworth will line up in the centres, while Nikorima takes his place at five-eighth.
Coen Hess plays game 200 as a Cowboy!
Broncos v Titans at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Broncos v Titans
Round 14 -
home Team
Broncos
12th Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Broncos v Titans: Round 14
Late Mail
Broncos: No late changes to the 1-19. Young gun Tom Duffy will partner Adam Reynolds in the halves, with Ezra Mam relegated to the six-man bench. The loss of Pat Carrigan (ankle) sees Xavier Willison shift to lock and Jack Gosiewski come into the back row. Gehamat Shibasaki (knee) is also unavailable, Grant Anderson to take his place in the centres.
Titans: No late changes to the 1-19 named on Tuesday. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Jojo Fifita are back on deck from Origin duties. Fifita has scored seven tries in his last three games against Brisbane and will be looking to find the stripe with his side struggling to score points in recent weeks.
