We’re counting down our final season at our inaugural home ground – with just five regular season home games left at 1300SMILES Stadium, we take a look at the rivalry played out in North Queensland between the Toyota Cowboys and the Wests Tigers.
History
Meetings – 16
Head to head – Cowboys 11 wins, Tigers 5 wins
Biggest victories – Cowboys def. Tigers 64-6 in Rd 22, 2014; Tigers def. Cowboys 30-10 in Rd 2, 2008
First meeting
2000 – Round 23: Cowboys def. Tigers 38-26
It was an unhappy first trip to North Queensland for the newly formed joint venture between Western Suburbs and Balmain. The Tim Sheens-led Cowboys ran riot at home, with centre Paul Bowman scoring a double and a 20-year-old Scott Prince kicking seven goals from eight attempts. Lock Peter Jones, second rower Kyle Warren and interchange forwards John Manning and Jeremy Schloss also crossed for tries.
Highlight
2014 – Round 22: Cowboys def. Tigers 64-6
It remains the Cowboys’ largest winning margin over any side in club history. By the 30-minute mark in the first half, Paul Green’s side had already trampled their way to a 32-nil lead and never let the foot off the pedal. Halves Johnathan Thurston and Rob Lui as well as fullback Michael Morgan put on a playmaking masterclass as the Cowboys ran in 12 tries. Centre Matt Wright scored a hat-trick, while wingers Tau Moga and Antonio Winterstein as well as second-rower Jason Taumalolo all bagged doubles. Centre Kane Linnett, second-rower Tariq Sims and Morgan also crossed, while Thurston booted eight goals.
Last regular season game
2017 – Round 6: Tigers def. Cowboys 26-16
A sluggish start saw the Cowboys trailing 20-6 at half-time and they never recovered. Young North Queensland forward Coen Hess continued his blistering start to the season, adding another double to take his tally to six tries in as many games. Lock Jason Taumalolo also scored for the home side, while JT kicked two goals for three attempts.
Preview
The Cowboys have won three of their previous four, while the Tigers have lost their last three.
