North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm – Regular Season – Preview & Prediction | NRL 2022

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

THE FACTS

When is North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm on and what time does it start? North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm will take place on Saturday 21st May, 2022 – 08:30 (UK)

Where is North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm taking place? North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm will take place at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Australia

Where can I get tickets for North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm? Click here for ticket information on 2022 NRL matches

What channel is North Queensland Cowboys vs Melbourne Storm 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 Melbourne Storm? 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

• North Queensland Cowboys continued their impressive run of form in the NRL by making it five successive victories with a solid performance against Wests Tigers last week but this will be a real test of where they are at as a side as they take on Melbourne Storm.
• The Cowboys have shown their quality on both sides of the ball so far this season but it is their ability to cross the whitewash that has really caught the eye with at least 30 points scored in each of their last four and they will attempt to keep that running with the same side from last week.

Starting 13: Drinkwater, Feldt, Holmes, Hiku, Taulagi, Dearden, Townsend, McLean, Robson, Cotter, Gilbert, Nanai, Taumalolo – Interchanges: Tabuai-Fidow, Luki, Hess, Neame – Reserves: Lemuelu, Hampton

Unavailable: Mitchell Dunn

MELBOURNE STORM

• Melbourne Storm saved arguably their worst performance of the season for when it mattered most as they lost out in their top of the ladder clash with Penrith Panthers last week.
• The late withdrawal of halfback Jahrome Hughes caused the Storm some big problems and they could not overcome his absence and he will be missing once again this week with Nelson Asofa-Solomona also ruled out through injury.

Starting 13: Wishart, Coates, Seve, Olam, Ieremia, Munster, Meaney, J. Bromwich, H. Grant, B. Smith, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, King – Interchanges: MacDonald, Loiero, Kamikamica, J. Grant – Reserves: Lewis, Nikorima

Unavailable: Christian Welch, George Jennings, Tepai Moeroa, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Reimis Smith, Jahrome Hughes, Nelson Asofa-Solomona

THE PREDICTION

North Queensland Cowboys can highlight their potential as genuine Premiership contenders by seeing off Melbourne Storm in Townsville. The Cowboys are the surprise package of this season so far but they will want to show that they are not just also-rans with this game against the Storm providing them with a superb opportunity to lay down a marker. The road team come into this with a handful of key men missing out through injury and while there is expected to be a response to their woeful showing against Penrith Panthers last week, the form of the hosts is difficult to ignore and they should be backed on the handicap with a +6.5 start.