Cowboys coach Todd Payten is looking for an immediate response from his team as they return to Sydney for the second-straight week on Sunday.
The Cowboys were stunned by the Eels 27-20 on Saturday night and the challenges don’t get any easier in Round 7, with the side to face the table-topping Cronulla Sharks at PointsBet Stadium.
North Queensland made 11 errors and conceded eight penalties in the loss and will need to clean up those areas of their game if they are to rebound against the Sharks.
Cronulla soared to the top of the ladder with a 34-22 win over South Sydney and they’re looking to build on an impressive start to the season with a third-straight victory.
The Sharks will be without winger Sione Katoa who received a one-game suspension after pleading guilty to a Grade Two Careless High Tackle charge.
In positive news, coach Craig Fitzgibbons is starting to welcome back his injured troops, with Toby Rudolf returning last weekend and Dale Finucane and Braden Hamlin-Uele in the frame to feature on Sunday.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sharks v Cowboys
Team News
Sharks: The home side remain 1-17 with Kayal Iro remaining in the centres and Siosifa Talakai on the bench alongside Jack Williams, Toby Rudolf and Braden Hamlin-Uele. Thomas Hazelton and Oregon Kaufusi have been named to start in a new-look front row combination.
Cowboys: A late change on game day sees Jack Gosiewski start in the secondrow for the first time in 2024 with Jeremiah Nanai dropping back to the bench. Semi Valemei joined the side on Saturday for Murray Taulagi (hamstring) while Tom Chester is set to feature at centre for a while after a strong showing last week. Thomas Mikaele is 18th man.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 7 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal IroCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Semi Valemei
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Thomas HazeltonProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Cowboys is number 17 Jack Gosiewski
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Toby RudolfInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa TalakaiInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyre
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Daniel AtkinsonReplacement for Cowboys is number 19 Thomas Mikaele
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored eight tries in his past seven games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 30 tries in 27 games at PointsBet Stadium.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater will play his 100th game for the club.
- The Sharks have won four of their past five games at PointsBet Stadium.
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 7 -
home Team
Sharks
1st Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
