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Craig HillRound 17 preview - Cowboys vs Warriors
July 7th 2007 01:45
VENUE and TIME: Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7:30pm AEST, Saturday July 7
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 21, Warriors 12, Cowboys 9
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio (1st half QLD)
LAST TIME: Warriors 34 - Cowboys 14 at Mt Smart Stadium, round 5, 2007
MEDICAL ROOM:
North Queensland head into this clash relatively injury free, with only Luke O’Donnell (hamstring – season) and Jacob Lillyman (eye – indefinite) unavailable for this crucial clash. The Cowboys will have Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb and Matt Bowen backing up after Wednesday’s brutal Origin match, with doubts surrounding whether Thurston will play due to an ongoing hand injury.
The Warriors Tony Martin is the only injury concern this week, with the goal-kicking centre set to return in Round 18 from a niggling rib injury. Inspirational skipper Steve Price will back up after a gruelling Origin performance on Wednesday night.
FORM:
The Cowboys usually rock solid defence has been leaking points over the past month, with the North Queensland side having conceded 26 tries in their past three games. Despite occupying fourth place on the NRL ladder, the Cowboys boast the second worsr defensive record in the competition.
New Zealand has produced a mid-season revival in the past month, with their last three victories against the Sharks, Panthers and Titans launching them into ninth position on the NRL ladder. The Warriors return to form has been built on a renewed determination in defence, with their defensive line having been breached only five times in their past four games.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Matt Bowen vs Wade McKinnon
Two of the NRL’s most dynamic fullbacks clash head to head this Saturday, with the form of the elusive custodians sure to be a highlight.
Enjoying a stellar season, Bowen currently leads the NRL’s leading try scorers, line breaks and tackle busts tables. The spritely Cowboys number one was rewarded with Game 3 Origin selection for the Maroons last Wednesday night, and look for Bowen to reprise his lethal attacking combination with Thurston against the giant Warriors forwards.
McKinnon has been the Warriors backline standout this season, with the former Eel leading the league in average kick return metres. Deceptively strong and one of the best support runners in the business, McKinnon will look to make as much ground as possible on kick returns so the giant Warriors forwards start their sets in handy field position.
Carl Webb vs Steve Price
Maroons teammates only 72 hours earlier, these two forward enforcers are set to clash head to head in a match which is predicted to be a fiery, forward battle.
After starring for Queensland in Wednesday nights Origin fixture, Price returns to boost a rampant Warriors side currently enjoying a three-game winning streak. Forming a formidable front row duo with Ruben Wiki, Price currently leads the league in top running metres, averaging a massive 188 metres a game.
Having been forced to play a gruelling 65 minutes in Wednesday nights brutal Origin clash, Webb will more than likely be used in short bursts off the bench by coach Graham Murray against the giant New Zealand team. The fiery Cowboys prop will relish the chance to battle the mammoth Warriors pack head on, with Webb’s go forward integral to the Cowboys chances.
VERDICT:
While the Cowboys have been struggling for attacking cohesion in recent weeks, the Warriors have hit a purple patch of form. With doubts as to whether Thurston will back up after a brutal Origin clash, expect the Warriors to make it four straight with a win away from home. Warriors by 6.
North Queensland Cowboys Team
Matt Bowen, Ashley Graham, Scott Minto, Paul Bowman, Ty Williams, Jason Smith, Johnathan Thurston (c), Shane Tronc, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Justin Smith, Sione Faumuina
Bench: David Faiumu, Ben Farrar, Matthew Bartlett, Ray Cashmere, Matt Scott
New Zealand Warriors Team
Wade McKinnon, Patrick Ah Van, Todd Byrne, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Louis Anderson, Logan Swann, Michael Luck
Bench: George Gatis, Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira, Evarn Tuimavave
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 21, Warriors 12, Cowboys 9
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio (1st half QLD)
LAST TIME: Warriors 34 - Cowboys 14 at Mt Smart Stadium, round 5, 2007
MEDICAL ROOM:
North Queensland head into this clash relatively injury free, with only Luke O’Donnell (hamstring – season) and Jacob Lillyman (eye – indefinite) unavailable for this crucial clash. The Cowboys will have Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb and Matt Bowen backing up after Wednesday’s brutal Origin match, with doubts surrounding whether Thurston will play due to an ongoing hand injury.
The Warriors Tony Martin is the only injury concern this week, with the goal-kicking centre set to return in Round 18 from a niggling rib injury. Inspirational skipper Steve Price will back up after a gruelling Origin performance on Wednesday night.
FORM:
The Cowboys usually rock solid defence has been leaking points over the past month, with the North Queensland side having conceded 26 tries in their past three games. Despite occupying fourth place on the NRL ladder, the Cowboys boast the second worsr defensive record in the competition.
New Zealand has produced a mid-season revival in the past month, with their last three victories against the Sharks, Panthers and Titans launching them into ninth position on the NRL ladder. The Warriors return to form has been built on a renewed determination in defence, with their defensive line having been breached only five times in their past four games.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Matt Bowen vs Wade McKinnon
Two of the NRL’s most dynamic fullbacks clash head to head this Saturday, with the form of the elusive custodians sure to be a highlight.
Enjoying a stellar season, Bowen currently leads the NRL’s leading try scorers, line breaks and tackle busts tables. The spritely Cowboys number one was rewarded with Game 3 Origin selection for the Maroons last Wednesday night, and look for Bowen to reprise his lethal attacking combination with Thurston against the giant Warriors forwards.
McKinnon has been the Warriors backline standout this season, with the former Eel leading the league in average kick return metres. Deceptively strong and one of the best support runners in the business, McKinnon will look to make as much ground as possible on kick returns so the giant Warriors forwards start their sets in handy field position.
Carl Webb vs Steve Price
Maroons teammates only 72 hours earlier, these two forward enforcers are set to clash head to head in a match which is predicted to be a fiery, forward battle.
After starring for Queensland in Wednesday nights Origin fixture, Price returns to boost a rampant Warriors side currently enjoying a three-game winning streak. Forming a formidable front row duo with Ruben Wiki, Price currently leads the league in top running metres, averaging a massive 188 metres a game.
Having been forced to play a gruelling 65 minutes in Wednesday nights brutal Origin clash, Webb will more than likely be used in short bursts off the bench by coach Graham Murray against the giant New Zealand team. The fiery Cowboys prop will relish the chance to battle the mammoth Warriors pack head on, with Webb’s go forward integral to the Cowboys chances.
VERDICT:
While the Cowboys have been struggling for attacking cohesion in recent weeks, the Warriors have hit a purple patch of form. With doubts as to whether Thurston will back up after a brutal Origin clash, expect the Warriors to make it four straight with a win away from home. Warriors by 6.
North Queensland Cowboys Team
Matt Bowen, Ashley Graham, Scott Minto, Paul Bowman, Ty Williams, Jason Smith, Johnathan Thurston (c), Shane Tronc, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Justin Smith, Sione Faumuina
Bench: David Faiumu, Ben Farrar, Matthew Bartlett, Ray Cashmere, Matt Scott
New Zealand Warriors Team
Wade McKinnon, Patrick Ah Van, Todd Byrne, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Ruben Wiki, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (c), Louis Anderson, Logan Swann, Michael Luck
Bench: George Gatis, Lance Hohaia, Wairangi Koopu, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira, Evarn Tuimavave
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