Match Preview: NRL Round 22 vs Cowboys
Wests Tigers welcome North Queensland Cowboys to Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night, hoping a home ground advantage will help get the job done.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
away Team
Cowboys
5th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
The Cowboys are one of the form teams in the competition having won seven of their past nine games, including a 42-28 victory over Wests Tigers in Townsville in Round 12.
Todd Payten’s men defeated the Sharks 30-22 last weekend on home soil with winger Kyle Feldt bagging a hattrick of tries.
Wests Tigers are on a short backup following last Friday’s 28-16 loss to the Warriors in Auckland and desperately hoping to end a five-game losing streak.
One thing in the home side’s favour against North Queensland would appear to be the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. These teams have played 11 games at Leichhardt Oval over the years, with Wests Tigers claiming victory on nine occasions.
The home team’s most recent win at Leichhardt Oval over the Cowboys was indeed a night to savour, a 66-18 thumping which included Jahream Bula’s first ever try in the NRL.
In team news for Wests Tigers, Justin Olam returns to the centres replacing Starford To’a (ankle), Solomon Alaimalo comes onto the wing for Luke Laulilii (HIA), and David Klemmer is back in the front row replacing Fonua Pole (rib injury).
The Cowboys will be without a couple of key middle forwards after Jason Taumalolo (cheekbone) and Reuben Cotter (HIA) both picked up injuries against the Sharks. Sam McIntyre takes over at prop from Taumalolo and Harrison Edwards replaces Cotter at lock.
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream BulaFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Solomon AlaimaloWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona FaataapeCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin OlamCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie StainesWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan GalvinFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu FainuHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Reuben Porter2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'iLock for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison Edwards
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Cowboys is number 13 Thomas Mikaele
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex TwalInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jake Granville
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tim JohannssenInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath MasonReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxon Purdue
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack:
- Tigers have won three of their past four games at Leichhardt Oval.
- The Cowboys have won only one of their past 10 games at Leichhardt.
- Jahream Bula has scored four tries in his past four games at Leichhardt.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored seven tries in his past five games.
- Wests Tigers have lost their last seven Thursday night games.
- The past three clashes between these sides have produced a total of 228 points.
