2021 NRL – North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? Friday 28th May, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Where can I get tickets for North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors 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 New Zealand Warriors? 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
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Starting 13: Holmes, Feldt, Bowen, Tabuai-Fidow, Taulagi, Drinkwater, Clifford, Gilbert, Robson, McLean, Wright, Dunn, Hess – Interchanges: Granville, Hola, Jensen, Luki – Reserves: O’Neill, Condon, Asi, Pere
Unavailable: Reuben Cotter (Injured), Ben Hampton (Injured), Jason Taumalolo (Suspended), Connolly Lemuelu (Injured), Lachlan Burr (Suspended), Francis Molo (Injured)
- North Queensland Cowboys made it five wins from their last seven matches as they produced a strong display to see off Newcastle Knights last week, although they had to show plenty of character to earn the two points.
- The Cowboys opened up a 16-0 lead before Jason Taumalolo and Lachlan Burr were sin-binned and the Knights capitalised to lead 16-20 but having fallen behind, North Queensland ran in 20 unanswered points to move onto the cusp of a top eight spot.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Starting 13: Walsh, Montoya, Pompey, Aitken, Tuivasa-Sheck, Nikorima, Harris-Tavita, Taunoa-Brown, Egan, Evans, Murchie, Katoa, Harris – Interchanges: Tevaga, Ah Mau, Afoa, Murdoch-Masila – Reserves: Otukolo, Berry, O’Sullivan, Frei
Unavailable: Addin Fonua-Blake (Injured), Peta Hiku (Injured), David Fusitu’a (Injured), Tom Ale (Injured), Josh Curran (Injured), Bayley Sironen (Injured)
- New Zealand Warriors were able to overcome the loss of two players to yellow cards in the second half of their clash with Wests Tigers as they fought back to ensure they avoided a third straight loss.
- Boom youngster Reece Walsh produced another dazzling display and he came up with some hugely important plays to help his side to claim the win but the Warriors need to show more defensively having conceded at least 20 points in each of their last five games.
THE PREDICTION
This should be an entertaining game between two teams that both have
aspirations of making the finals and the pair come into this level on
points with eighth-placed Gold Coast Titans. New Zealand Warriors have
been inconsistent all campaign while North Queensland Cowboys have
improved immeasurably of late with all five of their wins coming in
their last seven matches. They will hope to keep that run going,
especially as they have now won their last four games on home soil.
However, the Warriors are more than capable of ending that run and with
either side able to come out on top, it may pay to side with a
high-scoring contest that produces over 49.5 points.
