2019 NRL – St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys taking place? Friday 28th June, 09:00
Where is St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys taking place? WIN Stadium
What channel is St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys on?
UK – This match will not be televised live in the UK
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys?
UK – N/A
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for St. George-Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys?
St. George-Illawarra Dragons – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500022
North Queensland Cowboys – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500012
THE TEAM NEWS
ST. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Head Coach: Paul McGregor
Starting 13: Dufty, Pearson, Maranta, Aitken, Ravalawa, Norman, Hunt, Lawrie, McInnes, Vaughan, Host, T. Sims, Frizell – Interchanges: Latimore, Robson, K. Sims, Leilua – Reserves: Field, Kerr
Unavailable: Jack de Belin, Gareth Widdop, James Graham, Tim Lafai, Zac Lomax
- St. George were unable to back-up their win over Canterbury as they were comfortably beaten by Manly and must now attempt to get back to winning ways to keep in touch with the play-off spots.
- The Dragons sit two competition points away from the top 8 but sit in 13th position on the ladder, highlighting the battle they have to stay in contention and they have suffered a blow this week with Tim Lafai failing to prove his fitness so Lachlan Maranta will continue in the centres.
- Cameron McInnes left the pitch with a nasty knock to the head against Manly but he should be fine to take the field for the Dragons after he proved his fitness in training during the week.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Head Coach: Paul Green
Starting 13: Drinkwater, Feldt, Kahu, Opacic, Tuala, Morgan, Clifford, Bolton, Granville, McLean, Cooper, Wright, Taumalolo – Interchanges: Cotter, Asiata, Jensen, Molo – Reserves: Hola, Bowen
Unavailable: Murray Taulagi, Nene Macdonald, Te Maire Martin, Ben Hampton, Justin O’Neill, Matt Scott, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Mitchell Dunn, Coen Hess, Josh McGuire, Kurt Baptiste
- North Queensland Cowboys lost their second successive game by a small margin as they were edged out by Wests Tigers in golden point which keeps them in a cluster of teams with 12 competition points.
- Michael Morgan is in doubt for the Cowboys following his appearance in Origin but has been named in the side for now with a shift to five-eighth accommodated by the arrival of Scott Drinkwater from the Storm and he will debut at fullback.
- Jordan McLean comes back into the front row but his return is countered by the loss of Josh McGuire after he copped a one-match ban during Origin whilst fellow front-rower Matt Scott has failed to overcome a shoulder injury.
THE PREDICTION
St. George were outplayed by Manly as they failed to build on their win over Canterbury and they have now lost six of their last seven games. A return to WIN Stadium may aid them and with the Cowboys struggling with injuries, they should be able to get back to winning ways. Michael Morgan’s availability could prove to be a decisive factor but there will be question marks over his fitness if he does feature for the Cowboys and with so much talent sitting on the sidelines, the Dragons can take advantage on home soil.
