Thursday night footy: Titans v Cowboys
The Cowboys have had seven days to stew on their humiliating loss to the Roosters and will be desperate to restore some pride.
The Titans also endured a tough day at the office in Round 22 and have officially bowed out of the finals race but they can still cause some carnage with games against the Knights, Sharks, Rabbitohs and Dolphins to come.
A free-flowing contest looks assured as we kick off Indigenous Round on the Gold Coast and you can follow all the action on NRL.com's live blog.
Titans v Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium
Match: Titans v Cowboys
Round 23 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Titans v Cowboys: Round 23
8th min: The Titans get an opportunity to hit back immediately after the Cowboys tryscorer made an error hitting it up off the restart, but the home side puts together a disjointed set and can't get a kick away on last tackle.
6th min: Jason Taumalolo is over! The big man runs against the grain and picks up a pass from Soni Luke, easily finding his way between two defenders to crash over. Scott Drinkwater converts the try from 10m in from touch. Cowboys 6-0.
4th min: Scott Drinkwater has turned the tide with a 40/20 to put the Cowboys right on attack.
3rd min: The Titans get the first look at opposition half after a set restart and the ball goes to Keano Kini on last tackle, but his offload to a teammate is called forward.
Kickoff: The Cowboys receive the ball first to kick off Indigenous Round on a beautiful night on Yuggera country.
Todd Payten: 'One game doesn't define us'
Late Mail
Titans: Mass changes to the Titans in the 90-minute squad update. Lachlan Ilias has been shifted back to the bench, with AJ Brimson moving into the halfback position vacated after Zane Harrison's season ending hamstring strain. Jaylan De Groot comes in at centre from Brimson. Sam Verrills starts the game at hooker with Oliver Pascoe reverting to the pine. Arama Hau has also been demoted to the bench in favour of Josh Patston. Winger Phil Sami has scored eight tries in his last nine games.
Hannay not judging Cowboys on Roosters result
Cowboys: No late changes for the Cowboys, with John Bateman recovering from a hamstring injury to take his place on the interchange bench. Prop Griffin Neame returns from suspension but hooker Reed Mahoney will be given another week off after suffering a concussion in Round 21, his second of the season. Kai O'Donnell comes in for Jeremiah Nanai (hamstring). The Cowboys have won seven of their last nine games against the Titans.
