Cowboys v Knights: Banu sidelined; Finau set to start
One of the most intriguing fixtures of the round takes place in Townsville, where two sides desperate to play finals football meet in a clash that could prove season-defining.
North Queensland enter Round 9 after a thrilling 32-28 win over the Dragons, while Newcastle is looking to recover from a heartbreaking 27-26 loss to the Wests Tigers.
After opening the year with four consecutive defeats, the Cowboys have rediscovered confidence and rhythm, winning three of their past four matches. Charlize Lloyd-Phillips produced a historic hat-trick against the Dragons and has become a key attacking weapon during the club's late-season charge.
Newcastle will be frustrated by what might have been last weekend. The Knights showed enormous character to erase a 20-point deficit against the Tigers before ultimately falling to a late Raecene McGregor field goal. Despite the loss, the comeback demonstrated their resilience.
The battle between the two forward packs will likely determine the result. North Queensland has generated strong momentum through its middle rotation over recent weeks, while Newcastle remains at its best when Olivia Higgins and the Knights' spine players can play off quick rucks and dominate territory.
This one should be a close one.
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Cowboys
9th Position
away Team
Knights
6th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: More changes on game day, with winger Charlize Lloyd-Phillips coming out of the side, with Kayla Jackson returning to the line up. Lyrech Mara comes on to the bench. Earlier, prop Essay Banu was ruled out on Friday. Lily Dick comes into the starting side and Kayla Jackson joins the interchange.
Knights: No changes on game day. Lucy Spain will line up at fullback in No.17 with Lily-Ann White dropping to the reserves on Friday. Simone Karpani has been added to the bench in No.20. Fane Finau has been promoted from 18th player last week to start in the second row, swapping roles with Jules Kirkpatrick. "Fane was moved back to New South Wales Women's Premiership to work on a couple of things and she played really well on the weekend," coach Ben Jeffries said of the switch. "We pulled her off with about 20 minutes to go in that game, so she'd done enough and she's been elevated into our pack this week."
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca GoldthorpFullback for Knights is number 17 Lucy Spain
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot VellaWinger for Knights is number 2 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail RoacheCentre for Knights is number 3 Sidney Taylor
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine PetersCentre for Knights is number 4 Tenika Willison
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 18 Kayla JacksonWinger for Knights is number 5 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Lydia Turua-QuedleyFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra Dibb
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie KellyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Georgia Roche
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Ashley MarstersProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Alisha FoordHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 15 Lily DickProp for Knights is number 10 Tiana Davison
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Sienna Yeo
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Bree Chester2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Fane Finau
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie WealeLock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Nadia WindlebornInterchange for Knights is number 14 Charley Lahmert
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-SmithInterchange for Knights is number 15 Emily McArthur
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tafao AsauaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Amelia Pasikala
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 20 Lyrech MaraInterchange for Knights is number 20 Simone Karpani
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Emily VeiversReplacement for Knights is number 18 Jules Kirkpatrick
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Belinda Sharpe
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won three of their last four games.
- The Knights have outscored the Cowboys 64-12 in their last two clashes.
- Cowboys winger Charlize Lloyd-Phillips has scored four tries in four NRLW appearances.
- Winger Shanice Parker will make her 50th appearance for the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
