Bulldogs v Cowboys: Hopoate sidelined; Forwards shuffled
The round opens at Belmore Sports Ground with two sides keen to build momentum.
The Bulldogs enter the weekend after a big loss to the unbeaten Broncos, while the Cowboys arrive with renewed confidence after a hard-fought 18-16 win over the Raiders in Magic Round.
Canterbury have shown they are capable of competing physically, but consistency has been difficult to find. Their upset victory over the Sharks in Round 3 proved what they can achieve when they complete well and control possession.
North Queensland's season has ebbed and flowed, but their win over Canberra may prove a turning point. They defended strongly under pressure and found a way to secure two valuable competition points away from home.
The key battle could be through the middle third. The Cowboys forwards laid a strong platform last week, while Canterbury will need to dominate possession if they are to prevent North Queensland building pressure through repeat sets.
Belmore has always been a difficult venue for visiting teams, so watch this space.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 6 -
home Team
Bulldogs
8th Position
away Team
Cowboys
11th Position
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: No further changes on game day after Pani Hopoate (knee) dropped out on Friday, replaced in the front row by Giovanna Suani. The new face on the bench is Paea Uilou. Centre Monica Tagaoi has scored a try in four of her five games this season.
Cowboys: The Cowboys have made late changes to the bench with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith coming in for Lily Dick and Lydia Turua-Quedley. Former rugby star Ashley Marsters is set to start in the front row for the first time as coach Ricky Henry rejigs his forward pack. Bree Chester shifts from lock to the second row, with Makenzie Weale moving from prop to lock. The Cowboys have won their last three games in Sydney.
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 6 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie RobinsonFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Simina LokotuiWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Daynah NankivellCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Monica TagoaiCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Elizabeth MacGregorWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot Vella
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh QuinlanFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tallara Bamblett
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla PrestonHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Alexis TauaneaiProp for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Mary-Jane TaitoHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 15 Giovanna SuaniProp for Cowboys is number 10 Ashley Marsters
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Leilani Wilson2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tamika Jones2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Bree Chester
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-KatoaLock for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie Weale
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Evelyn RobertsInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Hope MillardInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tayla Curtis
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Latisha SmytheInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 18 Paea UilouInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Leteena MedlandReplacement for Cowboys is number 16 Lily Dick
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs were beaten 56-24 by the Raiders in their only previous match at Belmore Sports Ground.
- The Cowboys have won their last three games in Sydney.
- Bulldogs centre Monica Tagoai has scored a try in four of her five games this season.
- The Cowboys are chasing back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
