Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys are set to reignite their fierce rivalry in Round 3 of the 2025 NRL season at Suncorp Stadium on Friday in what promises to be a lively Queensland derby
Start date/time: Friday 21st March, 2025: UK – 9:00am / Local – 7:00pm / US ET – 5:00am / US PT – 2:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kapo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Brisbane Broncos Team News: Star man Staggs edging closer to return
The Broncos, coming off a 32-22 loss to the Canberra Raiders, have resisted making major changes to their line-up but they will be under some pressure to improve notably on that performance. They have named star centre Kotoni Staggs among their reserves, indicating a potential return that could boost their backline. If he is called upon, it would likely be Gehamat Shibasaki to make way. Otherwise, it is the same 17 as last week.
North Queensland Cowboys Team News: Taumalolo, Clifford and Nanai all slated to return
The Cowboys are desperately needing a boost coming into their third match after to heavy losses to the Sea Eagles and Sharks, and they have a key trio returning for this Queensland derby. Prop Jason Taumalolo, back-rower Jeremiah Nanai and playmaker Jake Clifford are all fit again and come into the starting team for this crunch match.
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction
The Queensland derby should be an interesting one with both teams coming off disappointing losses but it is the Broncos who will feel a bit more comfortable about their prospects this season. The Cowboys are being written off in all quarters and that will no doubt motivate them, but they desperately need to back it up with a performance.
They welcome back some key men but those are going to have to hit the ground running here in what is a tough match for them. The Broncos would be favoured in normal circumstances and it is hard to see anything other than them winning this match. The question is whether the Cowboys can keep it within the spread of 18.5 points and in a derby match, one would expect pride and motivation will help them keep it closer than that.
Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys Tip: North Queensland Cowboys +18.5 points
