2019 NRL – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys taking place? Friday 26th April, 09:00
Where is Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys taking place? ANZ Stadium
What channel is Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys on?
UK – This match will not be televised live in the UK
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys?
UK – N/A
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys?
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500010
North Queensland Cowboys – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500012
THE TEAM NEWS
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Dean Pay
Starting 13: Meaney, Okunbor, Holland, Hopoate, R. Smith, Cogger, Lewis, Tolman, Marshall-King, Ogden, Jackson, Harawira-Naera, Martin – Interchanges: Lichaa, Fualalo, Elliott, C. Smith – Reserves: Crichton, Montoya, Brown, Toomaga
Unavailable: Brandon Wakeham, Kieran Foran, Dylan Napa, Sauaso Sue
- Canterbury came out second best of a low-quality game against South Sydney last week with the Rabbitohs able to edge it 6-14 with the Bulldogs still sitting at the foot of the ladder with just one win so far this season.
- Rhyse Martin has again been selected to start by Bulldogs' head coach Dean Pay but could switch with Adam Elliott like they did last week whilst Renouf Toomaga is fit again and takes his place in the reserves.
- Canterbury have only scored 70 points from their six games so far this season and that average of 11.7 points per game is the lowest in the NRL which highlights some of their early-season issues.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Head Coach: Paul Green
Starting 13: Martin, O’Neill, Kahu, Tuala, Hampton, Clifford, Morgan, Scott, Granville, McLean, Cooper, McGuire, Asiata – Interchanges: Baptiste, Hess, Bolton, Molo – Reserves: Jensen, Opacic, Taumalolo, Dunn
Unavailable: Kyle Feldt, Murray Taulagi, Nene Macdonald
- North Queensland claimed an important victory which was just their second win of the season as they saw off New Zealand Warriors in Auckland with a gutsy performance to beat the odds.
- The Cowboys have named an unchanged line-up following last week's win but Jason Taumalolo is a surprise inclusion amongst the reserves and could be a late inclusion to make an early return from an MCL injury.
- With 44 handling errors – an average of 7.3 per game – the Cowboys have the joint-third highest number in the NRL so far this season and is something they will need to improve upon moving forward.
THE PREDICTION
The Bulldogs have been criticised for their spoiling tactics last week and have been warned that they will be on the end of more penalties if they continue to employ them. The Cowboys may be the beneficiaries of that and coming off the back of a win, they can edge this one. They played well in Auckland last week and can back that up here with a second consecutive victory. They are capable of winning without get star lock Jason Taumalolo but if they can get him onto the field that will spell even more danger for the Bulldogs.
