Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys
Friday, March 10, 8:05pm (AEDT), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
We’ve seen some thrillers between these two sides over the past two seasons, but none better than the Cowboys 17-16 win in the 2015 NRL Grand Final. The Wolf thinks we’ll see another nail biter at Suncorp on Friday night.
History
Brisbane have won five straight against the Cowboys at Suncorp with four of those decided by 4 points or less. The last five matches between the two teams have been decided by a single score. The Broncos and Cowboys clashed 3 times in 2016, with the Cowboys holding a 2-1 advantage, including the 26-20 semi-final win in Townsville, with centre Justin O’Neill scoring a double.
Brisbane have won five straight against the Cowboys at Suncorp with four of those decided by 4 points or less. The last five matches between the two teams have been decided by a single score. The Broncos and Cowboys clashed 3 times in 2016, with the Cowboys holding a 2-1 advantage, including the 26-20 semi-final win in Townsville, with centre Justin O’Neill scoring a double.
Form
Despite a shocker from halfback Ben Hunt, Brisbane pulled off a road opening round win over defending premiers Cronulla 26-18. The Broncos were patchy at times but strong running got Brisbane the two points. North Queensland were terribly disappointing in their opener at home to Canberra but collected two competition points in extra-time, winning 20-16 on a miraculous Gavin Cooper try. The Cowboys lacked their usual crispness in tough conditions.
Despite a shocker from halfback Ben Hunt, Brisbane pulled off a road opening round win over defending premiers Cronulla 26-18. The Broncos were patchy at times but strong running got Brisbane the two points. North Queensland were terribly disappointing in their opener at home to Canberra but collected two competition points in extra-time, winning 20-16 on a miraculous Gavin Cooper try. The Cowboys lacked their usual crispness in tough conditions.
Key Matchup
Ben Hunt v Johnathan Thurston. Broncos fans will be hoping Hunt’s Round 1 performance isn’t a sign of things to come, before he moves to the Dragons in 2018. It doesn’t get any tougher for Hunt when he faces off with one of the best to lace up a boot in Thurston. It was Thurston’s missed field-goal attempt off the crossbar that led to the Cowboys 20-16 golden point win over the Raiders. That’s right, Thurston can even pull out a win for his side when he doesn’t mean it. Or did he?
Ben Hunt v Johnathan Thurston. Broncos fans will be hoping Hunt’s Round 1 performance isn’t a sign of things to come, before he moves to the Dragons in 2018. It doesn’t get any tougher for Hunt when he faces off with one of the best to lace up a boot in Thurston. It was Thurston’s missed field-goal attempt off the crossbar that led to the Cowboys 20-16 golden point win over the Raiders. That’s right, Thurston can even pull out a win for his side when he doesn’t mean it. Or did he?
Stats That Matter
Brisbane covered and went over in the opening round while North Queensland won but failed to cover and went well under in totals betting. Brisbane have won five straight against the Cowboys at Suncorp with four of those decided by 4 points or less. The last five matches between the two teams have been decided by a single score. Brisbane are 32-20 ATS at Suncorp since 2013 but they are just 7-7 ATS when favoured by less than a converted try. The Broncos are 12-6 under at Suncorp as a favourite after scoring 25-plus. Brisbane have covered just 2 of their last 6 home openers. The Cowboys are 16-9 ATS as a small road underdog since 2013 while they are 11-6 ATS after scoring 20 points. Night games go under at 60% in the first four rounds since 2012.
Brisbane covered and went over in the opening round while North Queensland won but failed to cover and went well under in totals betting. Brisbane have won five straight against the Cowboys at Suncorp with four of those decided by 4 points or less. The last five matches between the two teams have been decided by a single score. Brisbane are 32-20 ATS at Suncorp since 2013 but they are just 7-7 ATS when favoured by less than a converted try. The Broncos are 12-6 under at Suncorp as a favourite after scoring 25-plus. Brisbane have covered just 2 of their last 6 home openers. The Cowboys are 16-9 ATS as a small road underdog since 2013 while they are 11-6 ATS after scoring 20 points. Night games go under at 60% in the first four rounds since 2012.
Final Thoughts
This one will go down to the wire like they always do, but it will be two men by the initials of JT who will decide the outcome. Johnathan Thurston will be his usual self, while wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo will prove tough to stop for the Broncos pack. Taumalolo ran for over 250 metres and had 8 tackle breaks in the win over the Raiders. The Cowboys win in yet another thriller.
This one will go down to the wire like they always do, but it will be two men by the initials of JT who will decide the outcome. Johnathan Thurston will be his usual self, while wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo will prove tough to stop for the Broncos pack. Taumalolo ran for over 250 metres and had 8 tackle breaks in the win over the Raiders. The Cowboys win in yet another thriller.
How It’s Shaping Up
North Queensland by 2
North Queensland by 2
Best BetNorth Queensland ($1.90)
Other Recommended Bets
North Queensland 1-12 ($3.10)
North Queensland 1-12 ($3.10)
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