THE FACTS
When is North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels taking place? Saturday 18th May, 08:30
Where is North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels taking place? 1300SMILES Stadium
What channel is North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels on?
UK – This match will not be televised live in the UK
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels?
UK – N/A
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels?
North Queensland Cowboys – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500012
Parramatta Eels – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500031
THE TEAM NEWS
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Head Coach: Paul Green
Starting 13: Kahu, Feldt, O’Neill, Opacic, Hampton, Asiata, Morgan, Scott, Granville, McLean, Cooper, Hess, Taumalolo – Interchanges: Baptiste, Dunn, Bolton, Molo – Reserves: Jensen, Gela-Mosby, Wright, Clifford
Unavailable: Murray Taulagi, Nene Macdonald, Te Maire Martin, Josh McGuire
- North Queensland were outclassed by South Sydney as a slow start by the Cowboys dented any real hopes of winning the game but they will be hoping they can pick up a win back on home soil against a vulnerable Parramatta side.
- Justin O'Neill and Jake Granville will both need to prove their fitness for the Cowboys after they copped head knocks last week but look set to play after both were named in the initial team list.
- The Cowboys will roll with the same 17 unless there are any late changes although Granville has been named to start at hooker in place of Kurt Baptiste with the pair switching before kick-off last week and the same could yet happen this week.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Head Coach: Brad Arthur
Starting 13: Gutherson, G. Jennings, Hoffman, Takairangi, Ferguson, Smith, Moses, Alvaro, Mahoney, Paulo, Lane, Niukore, Ma’u – Interchanges: Terepo, Mannah, Moeroa, Kaufusi – Reserves: Evans, McIlwrick, Salmon, French
Unavailable: Kaysa Pritchard, Nathan Brown, Dylan Brown, David Gower, Maika Sivo, Michael Jennings
- Parramatta were demolished by Melbourne as they capitulated with them conceding 11 tries in what was an embarrassing effort by the Eels with head coach Brad Arthur seeking an immediate response here.
- The Eels will be without winger Maika Sivo after he copped a one-match ban by the judiciary for a poor tackle on Melbourne's Jahrome Hughes last week so George Jennings come into the side in his place.
- Michael Jennings has a calf injury with Josh Hoffman taking his place in the centres whilst Jaeman Salmon has been dropped with Will Smith coming into the side at five-eighth and in the final changes for the Eels, Manu Ma’u and Reed Mahoney start with Tepai Moeroa and Peni Terepo dropping to the bench.
THE PREDICTION
Parramatta appear to be distracted by off-field issues with several issues swirling around regarding some high-profile out of contract players but they might be able to put that to bed for a while with captain Clint Gutherson committing to a new three-year deal. With that distraction behind them, it will be interesting to see how the Eels react following last week's demolition against Melbourne. The Eels haven’t won away from home since Round 2 and that poor record should continue here with North Queensland able to get the win.
