North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors – Regular Season – Preview & Prediction | NRL 2023

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THE FACTS

When is North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors on and what time does it start? North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors will take place on Saturday 18th March, 2023 – 06:30 (UK)

Where is North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors taking place? North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors will take place at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Australia

Where can I get tickets for North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors? Click here for ticket information on 2023 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

• North Queensland Cowboys were beaten in their Queensland derby contest with Brisbane Broncos last week as they succumbed to their first defeat of the season.
• The Cowboys were the better side in the opening exchanges but failed to kick-on and in their effort to bounce back here, they must cope without suspended duo Peta Hiku and Scott Drinkwater.

Starting 13: Chester, Feldt, Holmes, Shibasaki, Taulagi, Dearden, Townsend, McLean, Robson, Cotter, Hess, Nanai, Taumalolo – Interchanges: Granville, Neame, Taunoa-Brown, Tamou – Reserves: Luki, Elliot, Sadrugu, Price, Dunn

Unavailable: Luciano Leilua (Stood down), Ben Hampton (Injured), Jack Gosiewski (Injured), Peta Hiku (Suspended), Scott Drinkwater (Suspended)

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

• New Zealand Warriors were extremely game in their encounter with Sydney Roosters last week but failed to get the better of the Tricolours as they suffered a first loss of the campaign.
• The Kiwi outfit were brilliant in spells, largely on the back of a captain's knock from Tohu Harris but they have suffered a big blow here with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad ruled out through concussion so Taine Tuaupiki will debut.

Starting 13: Tuaupiki, Kosi, Wiliame, Pompey, Montoya, Martin, Johnson, Fonua-Blake, Egan, Afoa, Barnett, Niukore, Harris – Interchanges: Walker, Curran, Ale – Reserves: Lussick, Vailea, Volkman, Tevaga, Berry

Unavailable: Luke Metcalf (Injured), Valingi Kepu (Injured), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Injured), Jackson Ford (Injured), Charnze Nicole-Klokstad (Injured)

THE PREDICTION

North Queensland Cowboys will be eager to put their derby loss to Brisbane Broncos behind them as they take on New Zealand Warriors. The Cowboys were right in the game until the closing stages but know they need to be better here. The Warriors also have improvements to make after being edged by Sydney Roosters last week and while they will make a fist of this, the Cowboys are likely to have too much quality for them in this matchup.