XXXX things you need to know: Round 14 v Warriors
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys host the Warriors at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday evening.
1. NEXT MAN UP
State of Origin stars Reece Robson and Murray Taulagi have been ruled out of tomorrow’s game after picking up minor injuries on Wednesday night. Braidon Burns will come on to the left wing for Taulagi, while Sam McIntyre has been named at hooker for the first time in his Cowboys tenure. McIntyre has started two games at dummy half over his 52-game NRL career.
2. TURNING THE TIDE
The Cowboys will be looking to bounce back from two defeats to the Warriors in 2023. North Queensland have won two of their previous five outings against the Kiwi outfit, with the last win a 48-4 triumph in Round 23 of the 2022 season. The Warriors hold a 25-22 lead in the overall match-up.
3. DOUBLE THE FUN
Cowboys feeder club the Mackay Cutters will take on Queensland Cup rivals Redcliffe prior to the NRL game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium tomorrow. The final make-up of the Cutters team is yet to be determined due to the Cowboys Origin contingent, but contracted players Jai Hansen, D’Jazirhae Pua’avase and Jeremiah Matautia are confirmed starters. Kick off is at 2.35pm.
4. STATS UPDATE
Valentine Holmes trails Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako by one point in the NRL point scoring race. Holmes also sits inside the NRL’s top five for line-breaks with 12. Jeremiah Nanai’s 10 tries trail competition leader Maika Sivo by one. Chad Townsend ranks second in try assists with 15, tied with teammate Scott Drinkwater, who also leads the NRL with 18 linebreak assists. Robson and Reuben Cotter sit second and third in total tackles with 510 and 506 respectively.
