2021 NRL – Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys taking place? Saturday 3rd April, 2021 – 07:30 (UK)
Where is Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys taking place? Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Where can I get tickets for Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys 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 Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys? 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
THE TEAM NEWS
CRONULLA SHARKS
Starting 13: Kennedy, Hiroti, Dugan, Tracey, Mulitalo, Moylan, Townsend, Hamlin-Uele, Brailey, Woods, Wilton, Graham, Rudolf – Interchanges: Trindall, Tolman, Jack Williams, Magoulias – Reserves: Pele, Macdonald
Unavailable: Bronson Xerri (Suspended), Shaun Johnson (Injured), Jack A Williams (Injured), Royce Hunt (Injured), Siosifa Talakai (Injured), Jesse Ramien (Suspended), Briton Nikora (Suspended), Sione Katoa (Injured)
- Cronulla Sharks were competitive for the opening hour of last week’s clash with Parramatta Eels but with injuries ravaging them during the game, they could not stay in the contest as the Eels pulled away in the final quarter.
- The Sharks only managed to see 39% of the ball despite an 82% completion rate and the weight of possession told as the game drew to its conclusion but head coach John Morris will have been pleased by his side’s effort.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Starting 13: Holmes, Taulagi, O’Neill, Lemuelu, Tabuai-Fidow, Drinkwater, Hampton, Molo, Robson, McLean, Wright, Condon, McGuire – Interchanges: Granville, Hess, Jensen, Burr – Reserves: Hola, Clifford
Unavailable: Kane Bradley (Injured), Tom Gilbert (Injured), Jason Taumalolo (Injured), Kyle Feldt (Suspended), Michael Morgan (Injured), Reuben Cotter (Injured), Mitchell Dunn (Injured)
- North Queensland Cowboys were woeful as they suffered a third straight loss to begin the campaign but the humiliating nature of their defeat to Queensland rivals Gold Coast Titans will prove difficult to overcome.
- The Cowboys were poor in all aspects of the game as they went down 8-44 but having missed 42 tackles in that contest, it is clear that their defensive efforts must improve if they are to get anywhere near Cronulla in this clash.
THE PREDICTION
Cronulla Sharks have made a solid start to the season in terms of how they have performed but it has only yielded a solitary success from three matches so far and they will be eager to put that right in this clash with North Queensland Cowboys. The road team have performed poorly in Todd Payten’s three games in charge so far and he has made numerous changes as he looks to change his side’s fortunes. The Cowboys have looked short of ideas on both sides of the ball and the Sharks should be able to capitalise in this one with them being capable of covering the -9.5 handicap.
