2020 NRL – North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles taking place? Friday 24th July, 2020 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles taking place? Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
What is the expected weather for North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles? 21c, clear skies
What channel is North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for North Queensland Cowboys vs Manly Sea Eagles? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Starting 13: Tabuai-Fidow, Feldt, Taulagi, Marsters, O’Neill, Asi, Clifford, McGuire, Robson, Molo, Wright, Hess, Taumalolo – Interchanges: Dunn, Gilbert, Cooper, Cotter – Reserves: Hampton, Pere
Unavailable: Michael Morgan (Injured), John Asiata (Injured), Valentine Homles (Injured), Scott Drinkwater (Injured), Peter Hola (Injured), Tom Opacic (Injured), Jordan McLean (Injured), Connelly Lemuelu (Injured)
- North Queensland Cowboys put in a valiant performance as they pushed Penrith Panthers all the way in their clash last week but the defeat was not enough to keep head coach Paul Green in a job as the two parties decided to call it a day on his tenure.
- The Cowboys had conceded an average of 35.4 points per game across their last five matches but despite putting in a better defensive display as they conceded 22 points, it was not enough to avoid a third straight defeat.
- Josh Hannay will take interim charge of the Cowboys until a permanent replacement for Green is appointed and he has made just the one change to last week’s side with Connelly Lemuelu dropping out because of injury with Murray Taulagi taking his spot.
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Starting 13: Elliot, Taufua, Parker, Suli, Garrick, Cust, Cherry-Evans, Fonua-Blake, Levi, Taupau, Thompson, Sironen, J. Trbojevic – Interchanges: Croker, Gosiewski, Keppie, Paseka – Reserves: Waddell, Funa
Unavailable: Manase Fainu (Disciplinary), Albert Hopoate (Injured), Tom Trbojevic (Injured), Dylan Walker (Injured), Morgan Boyle (Injured)
- Manly Sea Eagles avoided a fourth consecutive defeat as they produced a shock victory against Parramatta Eels last week and they will hope to build on that as they bid to get their top eight challenge back on track.
- The Sea Eagles started superbly as they opened up a 16-point lead inside the opening 16 minutes and despite being starved of possession with just 43% of the ball, Manly were able to hold on in a gutsy display.
- In a further boost for the Sea Eagles, head coach Des Hasler is able to call upon blockbusting prop Addin Fonua-Blake following his two-game ban and he slots straight back into the starting line-up with Taniela Paseka reverting to the bench and Corey Waddell dropping out.
THE PREDICTION
North Queensland Cowboys have underperformed once again this season and it has cost Paul Green his job as they look to go in a new direction in a bid to save their year. Josh Hannay will take temporary charge with this visit of Manly Sea Eagles his first task. The Sea Eagles pulled off a shock win last week as they handed Parramatta Eels just their second loss of the campaign. This game could genuinely go either way and it is very much on whichever side turns up but with six victories from their last eight against the Sea Eagles, the hosts can come out on top with the aid of a +6.5 start in this one.
