North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
North Queensland Cowboys hoping to saddle the Penrith Panthers with another defeat.
Start date/time: Saturday 10th May, 2025: UK – 10:35am / Local – 7:35pm / US ET – 5:35am / US PT – 2:35am
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
A big out for the North Queensland Cowboys with Skipper Reuben Cotter set to miss two games via suspension. Sam McIntyre moves into jersey No. 13. With Cotter out, prop Tom Mikaele gets his long-awaited opportunity. He will add plenty some punch to a Cowboys forward pack which has been inconsistent this season.
Squad: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Zac Laybutt 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Semi Valemei 21. Karl Lawton 22. Kai O’Donnell
Penrith Panthers team news
The reinforcements have arrived for Ivan Cleary and his team, who found their best form in a win over Brisbane during Magic Round. NSW winger Brian To’o is available after missing a month of football with a hamstring injury. In addition, Mitch Kenny returns at hooker while Brad Schneider will start from the bench in his first game back from an eye injury. Trent Toelau will drop out of the side as will Luke Sommerton. With To’o back, Thomas Jenkins shifts to the interchange bench in what shapes as a strange decision. Jenkins inclusion could suggest that Brian To’o is still in some doubt to take the field in Round 10.
Squad: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Thomas Jenkins 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Casey McLean 21. Daine Laurie 22. Trent Toelau
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers prediction
The North Queensland Cowboys went down 30-26 against the Warriors in Magic round. This loss drops them out of the top eight on for and against. Their defence has been an ongoing issue. So far in 2025 teams have averaged over 25 points per match against them.
The Penrith Panthers resembled something of their old selves with a 32-8 masterclass against the Brisbane Broncos. Halfback Nathan Cleary was back near his best with a 16-point performance of his own and another man of the match award in a big game. There is no laurels for the Panthers to rest upon however as they have dug themselves a very deep hole that is going to be difficult to climb out of. With the Origin period looming and the realistic possibility that they will be without five starters for that period the points need to be collected sooner rather than later. The Panthers usually stingy defence has conceded an average of 24 points per game through nine matches compared to 16 per game in 2024.
Recent history between the two sides shows that the Cowboys have won the past two matches, including a narrow win in Round five earlier this season.
We like the Panthers again this week, with some of their senior players back on deck, a winning streak is on the cards.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers tip: Penrith Panthers to win
