2019 NRL – North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Friday 12th April, 10:55
Where is North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm taking place? 1300SMILES Stadium
What channel is North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm?
North Queensland Cowboys – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500012
Melbourne Storm – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500021
THE TEAM NEWS
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Starting 13: Martin, Macdonald, Kahu, Tuala, Hampton, Clifford, Morgan, Scott, Granville, McLean, Cooper, Hess, McGuire – Interchanges: Asiata, Jensen, Dunn, Molo – Reserves: Wright, O’Neill, Baptiste, Hola
Unavailable: Kyle Feldt, Murray Taulagi, Scott Bolton, Jason Taumalolo
- North Queensland remain without a win since Round 1 after they went down to another defeat against Canberra last week and now face unbeaten Melbourne in another big test for the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys avoided any injuries last week and despite another poor performance head coach Paul Green has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes to his side as they look for just their second win this season.
- Their only change comes in the outside backs with Javid Bowen dropped, and he doesn’t even make the reserves this week, with Enari Tuala coming into the side in the centres while Ben Hampton reverts to the wing.
MELBOURNE STORM
Head Coach: Craig Bellamy
Starting 13: Hughes, Seve, Chambers, Scott, Addo-Carr, Munster, Croft, J. Bromwich, C. Smith, Asofa-Solomona, F. Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: B. Smith, Welch, Kamikamica, Papenhuyzen – Reserves: P. Kaufusi, Walters, Vete, Earl
Unavailable: Scott Drinkwater, Joe Stimson, Tom Eisenhuth, Suliasi Vunivalu
- Melbourne were perhaps guilty of complacency as they narrowly defeated Canterbury to keep their 100% record intact by a narrow margin but Craig Bellamy will be demanding much more from his side this week.
- Cameron Munster was again crucial for the Storm and he leads the way in the Dally M voting after picking up another three points, with the five-eighth already racking up nine points from just four matches.
- It’s a case of one-in-one-out on the wing for the Storm as Josh Addo-Carr returns, but Suliasi Vunivalu copped a ban last week so he misses out with Marion Seve also shifting to the other wing and Will Chambers reverting to his usual position in the centres.
THE PREDICTION
North Queensland look set to be in for a long season as they lost yet again with Canberra seeing them off last week. They now host unbeaten Melbourne who are sure to have received a rocket from Craig Bellamy after a poor display in their win over Canterbury, with the Storm able to win comfortably. They will not put in another performance as disappointing as last week, which spells bad news for the Cowboys who will struggle to break the Melbourne defence down.
