2019 NRL – North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs taking place? Saturday 20th July, 10:35
Where is North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs taking place? 1300SMILES Stadium
What channel is North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs?
North Queensland Cowboys – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500012
South Sydney Rabbitohs – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500005
THE TEAM NEWS
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Head Coach: Paul Green
Starting 13: Drinkwater, Feldt, Bowen, Opacic, Taulagi, Asiata, Clifford, McGuire, Granville, McLean, Cooper, Wright, Taumalolo – Interchanges: Hess, Scott, Bolton, Molo – Reserves: Morgan, Cotter, Jensen, Russell
Unavailable: Nene Macdonald, Te Maire Martin, Ben Hampton, Justin O’Neill, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Mitchell Dunn, Kurt Baptiste, Jordan Kahu
- North Queensland showed great determination as their under-strength side overcame reigning premiers Sydney Roosters last week but will need to back that up here to keep pushing towards a play-off spot.
- The Cowboys will be without Jordan Kahu after he suffered a head knock last week whilst Michael Morgan is a surprise inclusion amongst the reserves but will not feature unless he passes the necessary tests following a bad head knock of his own in Origin.
- Murray Taulagi comes into the side and will make his NRL debut in place of Kahu with Javid Bowen shifting to the centres in what is the only change for Paul Green’s side from last week’s win.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Head Coach: Wayne Bennett
Starting 13: Doueihi, Gagai, Roberts, Burns, Graham, Walker, Reynolds, Tatola, Cook, Britt, Sutton, Lowe, Murray – Interchanges: Amone, Nicholls, Su’A, Turner – Reserves: Dillon, Tracey, Sironen, Allan
Unavailable: Kurt Dillon, Tom Burgess, Alex Johnston, George Burgess, Sam Burgess, Liam Knight
- South Sydney did just enough to end their four-match losing streak as they edged out Manly in a thrilling contest last week but must back that up here to consolidate their place in the top 4.
- The Rabbitohs have been hit with a huge blow with the news that Sam Burgess could be set to miss the rest of the season after he needed a drip fitting to his heart to clear the infection discovered during his shoulder surgery.
- Liam Knight copped a ban last week so will sit this one out with Dean Britt moving to prop to fill that gap whilst Ethan Lowe returns to the back row after he was rested following his Origin bow.
THE PREDICTION
North Queensland have shown to be a dogged outfit this year and they overcame great adversity once again last week as they beat Sydney Roosters and keep themselves within play-off contention but face another tough test in South Sydney here. They may not get the win here but will put up a fight like they have all season and it would not be a surprise if they did somehow find another way to win despite all of the problems they are facing in terms of unavailable personnel.
