Five things you need to know: Round 8 v Parramatta

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys travel to Sydney to take on the Parramatta Eels on Friday night.

1. MAIDEN VOYAGE

Queensland Country Bank Stadium isn’t the only new venue in the NRL. The Cowboys will make their first appearance at Parramatta’s new home ground, Bankwest Stadium on Friday night. The 30,000 seat venue opened in April last year and has hosted 29 NRL games to date.

2. PICK AND STICK

Cowboys head coach Paul Green has named an unchanged 17 for the first time in 2020. Late inclusions from last Saturday’s 32-20 win over the Knights Tom Opacic, Jordan McLean and Shane Wright all retain their spots in the side after impressive showings.

3. ON THE WAY BACK

Star fullback Valentine Holmes is closing in on a return from an ankle injury suffered against the Warriors in Round 5. Holmes has been named in the reserves by Green and will be monitored at training during the week.

4. BRAGGING RIGHTS

North Queensland and Parramatta are locked at 20 wins apiece in the overall head to head match-up. The two sides have locked horns 41 times since the Cowboys entered the competition in 1995, with a 14-all draw in 2001 making up the extra game. The Cowboys have won four of the previous five meetings, including a 17-10 victory in Round 10 last season.

5. ON A ROLL

Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt will look to keep his try-scoring run against Parramatta rolling. Feldt has scored eight tries in as many appearances against the Eels and has crossed the stripe at least once in his previous five meetings.