North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The pride of Queensland is on the line at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, as the Cowboys host the Broncos in a classic derby with significant finals computations.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
North Queensland Cowboys team news
After a stunning comeback win over the Wests Tigers, Head Coach Todd Payten has named an unchanged 17. Young guns Emarly Bitungane and Nicholas Lenaz have been named on the reserves list. Both have made their NRL debut this season.
Squad: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Zac Laybutt 15. Karl Lawton 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Thomas Mikaele 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Brisbane Broncos team news
Captain Adam Reynolds has been named in the extended squad as he nears his return from the hamstring injury he picked up in Round 23 against Melbourne. Forward Brendan Piakura is back from concussion on the interchange while Jesse Arthars shifts to 18th man.
Squad: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Jock Madden 22. Adam Reynolds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos prediction
The North Queensland Cowboys (12th) are finishing their disappointing season strongly, coming off a thrilling 34-28 victory over the Wests Tigers. They have won three of their last five matches.
The Brisbane Broncos (5th) are in formidable form, having demolished the Newcastle Knights 46-12 away from home last week. They have also won three of their last five games as they push for a top four spot.
Cowboys playmaker Scott Drinkwater leads the entire NRL with 24 try assists and is second in the league with 21 line break assists. He is also the team's leading point-scorer with 174.Second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored six tries in six games against the Broncos.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh is the spark in the Brisbane backline. His creativity and vision have produced 21 line break assists this season, ranking him equal second in the competition. Centre Kotoni Staggs has scored five tries in his last four games.
The Broncos have a dominant historical record in the Queensland derby, leading the overall head-to-head 38 wins to 20, with one draw. Brisbane also won the earlier encounter this season, defeating the Cowboys 26-16 in Round 3.The Broncos have won their last five games against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have won only two from 11 against top eight opposition in 2025.
This promises to be a typically fiery and passionate Queensland derby. While the Cowboys are out of finals contention, they would love nothing more than to derail the top four aspirations of their state rivals in front of their home crowd. The Broncos are in strong form and have everything to play for, setting the stage for a classic encounter.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos tip: Brisbane Broncos to win by 10+ points
