Neds Match Preview: Round 5
Wests Tigers will look to bounce back from their Easter Monday defeat when they take on the North Queensland Cowboys this Sunday in their first Leichhardt Oval game of the year.
Having fallen behind early against the Eels, Michael Maguire's side threatened to produce a stirring comeback — pulling within two points late on — but were unable to finish the job to record back-to-back wins for the first time this year.
Instead, they'll head to the suburban home ground for a classic Sunday afternoon clash against the out-of-form Cowboys, who themselves come into the contest winless through the opening four rounds of the season.
Soundly beaten by the Cronulla Sharks in Round 4, North Queensland will still be without captain Jason Taumalolo for another week after he was a late withdrawal alongside Josh McGuire, who both did not travel to Sydney.
Kyle Feldt will return from suspension to replace Justin O'Neill (concussion).
Nofoaluma can't wait for Sunday's clash against Cowboys
Looking to extend their winning run over the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval to nine in a row, Wests Tigers will themselves head into the clash with a slight change — Moses Mbye moving to centre and Tommy Talau to the wing to replace Asu "AJ" Kepaoa.
Michael Chee Kam comes on to the bench for his second game of the year.
Sunday’s game at Leichhardt Oval is the club’s first home game at the suburban ground this year, with a blockbuster four-game program set to take place. The club’s Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, Jersey Flegg and Knock-On Effect NSW Cup sides will all feature earlier in the day before the NRL game between Wests Tigers and North Queensland kicks off at 4:05pm.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, 11th April
Time — 4:05pm
Venue — Leichhardt Oval
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Channel 9 (Syd/Bris), GEM (Melb/Adl/Pth), FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 873 2GB, FM 104.9 Triple M
Live Stream — 9Now, KAYO Sports, Watch NRL (int.), Sky Sport 4 (NZ only)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers — Unchanged from the side originally named during the week with Moses Mbye to start at centre and Tommy Talau on the wing.
North Queensland Cowboys — Jason Taumalolo and Josh McGuire are both ruled out, with Reuben Cotter moving to lock and Corey Jensen coming on to the bench.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James RobertsCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 19 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Connelly Lemuelu
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 22 Luke BrooksHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Ben Hampton
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Zane MusgroveProp for Cowboys is number 8 Francis Molo
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 James TamouProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shane Wright
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 17 Joe Ofahengaue2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Ben Condon
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Cowboys is number 15 Coen Hess
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses MbyeInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke GarnerInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Lachlan Burr
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 Reuben Cotter
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Stefano UtoikamanuInterchange for Cowboys is number 20 Corey Jensen
Reserves
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 14 Michael Chee KamReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Jake Clifford
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
Head-to-Head — Wests Tigers ($1.32), North Queensland ($3.35)
Line — Wests Tigers -9.5 ($1.90), North Queensland -9.5 ($1.90)
Odds correct as of 5:00pm, Wednesday, 7th April. 18+ only, Gamble responsibly.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head — Played 40, Wests Tigers 22, Cowboys 16, Drawn 2
At Leichhardt Oval — Played 9, Wests Tigers 8, Cowboys 1
Last Time They Met — Wests Tigers 36 def. Cowboys 20 (Rd.6, 2020)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee — Matt Cecchin
Touch Judges — Matt Noyen and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Review Official — Alan Shortall
