North Queensland Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles
Saturday, March 18, 9pm (AEDT), 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville
The Cowboys will be missing some key personnel for the clash with the Sea Eagles, but still have that man Johnathan Thurston guiding the ship. Cowboys prop Matt Scott has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, while Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein will also miss the clash due to injury. Enforcer Jason Taumalolo failed at the judiciary and will miss the next two weeks courtesy of his shoulder charge against the Broncos. The exciting Kalyn Ponga has been named in the No.1 jersey as Coote’s replacement. Manly is struggling at the moment and is a two-man band led by the Trbojevic brothers.
History
The Cowboys have won five straight against Manly and posted 30-plus in four of those. The Cowboys won last year’s Round 9 clash 34-18 and Round 16 encounter 30-26.
The Cowboys have won five straight against Manly and posted 30-plus in four of those. The Cowboys won last year’s Round 9 clash 34-18 and Round 16 encounter 30-26.
Form
North Queensland have played and won two golden point clashes to start the season. A Gavin Cooper try from a missed field goal gave the Cowboys probably an undeserved Round 1 home win over Canberra before another classic with the Broncos where Johnathan Thurston slotted the winning field goal. Manly have shown glimpses across the first two rounds but the far well outweighs the good. The Sea Eagles went down to Parramatta in Round 1 in a gritty but lifeless showing before being embarrassed 38-18 at home to Souths. Two home losses is a terrible start for a team already expected to struggle.
North Queensland have played and won two golden point clashes to start the season. A Gavin Cooper try from a missed field goal gave the Cowboys probably an undeserved Round 1 home win over Canberra before another classic with the Broncos where Johnathan Thurston slotted the winning field goal. Manly have shown glimpses across the first two rounds but the far well outweighs the good. The Sea Eagles went down to Parramatta in Round 1 in a gritty but lifeless showing before being embarrassed 38-18 at home to Souths. Two home losses is a terrible start for a team already expected to struggle.
Key Matchup
Kalyn Ponga v Tom Trbojevic. Ponga will be making his third NRL appearance on Saturday night, but will finally get the chance in his more preferred position of fullback. He’s signed a big deal with the Knights for next season, but will want to remind coach Paul Green of his talent and try to secure a spot in the Top 17 going forward. Trbojevic is already a superstar of the game and was huge in the loss to the Rabbitohs last week, running for almost 300 metres and scoring a try. Unfortunately he needs more from his halfback and can’t do it all on his own.
Kalyn Ponga v Tom Trbojevic. Ponga will be making his third NRL appearance on Saturday night, but will finally get the chance in his more preferred position of fullback. He’s signed a big deal with the Knights for next season, but will want to remind coach Paul Green of his talent and try to secure a spot in the Top 17 going forward. Trbojevic is already a superstar of the game and was huge in the loss to the Rabbitohs last week, running for almost 300 metres and scoring a try. Unfortunately he needs more from his halfback and can’t do it all on his own.
Stats That Matter
North Queensland are 1-1 ATS and 1-1 over-under while Manly are 0-2 ATS with a 1-1 total record. The Cowboys have won five straight against Manly and posted 30-plus in four of those. In the first four rounds, teams who conceded 30-plus the week prior are 29-18 ATS. North Queensland are 25-1 with a 17-9 ATS record as a home favourite of 8 or more since 2013. Off scoring 20 or more and being favoured by 9, they are 9-4 ATS. Manly have covered just 1 of their last 5 interstate games.
North Queensland are 1-1 ATS and 1-1 over-under while Manly are 0-2 ATS with a 1-1 total record. The Cowboys have won five straight against Manly and posted 30-plus in four of those. In the first four rounds, teams who conceded 30-plus the week prior are 29-18 ATS. North Queensland are 25-1 with a 17-9 ATS record as a home favourite of 8 or more since 2013. Off scoring 20 or more and being favoured by 9, they are 9-4 ATS. Manly have covered just 1 of their last 5 interstate games.
Final Thoughts
It’s the weakest side that the Cowboys have put out for some time, but it’s still well-equpped to overcome the struggling Sea Eagles. Ponga will do an outstanding job at fullback, while Shaun Fensom and Coen Hess are two players who will relish a starting job if Paul Green decides to go that way down the track. Daly Cherry-Evans is struggling and until he starts to earn some of his big contract, the Sea Eagles will find themselves locked at the bottom of the ladder.
It’s the weakest side that the Cowboys have put out for some time, but it’s still well-equpped to overcome the struggling Sea Eagles. Ponga will do an outstanding job at fullback, while Shaun Fensom and Coen Hess are two players who will relish a starting job if Paul Green decides to go that way down the track. Daly Cherry-Evans is struggling and until he starts to earn some of his big contract, the Sea Eagles will find themselves locked at the bottom of the ladder.
How It’s Shaping Up
North Queensland by 18
North Queensland by 18
Best BetNorth Queensland 13+ ($2)
Other Recommended Bets
Over 44.5 ($1.88)
Over 44.5 ($1.88)
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