North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Elimination Final
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It’s do or die for North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights with one of them set to see their season end prematurely as they go head-to-head in this Elimination Final.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Saturday 14th September, 2024 - 10:50am / AUS - 7:50pm / US EST - 5:50am / US PST - 2:50am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL and Sky Go in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS FORM: HUGE WIN FOR COWBOYS
In what was a massive confidence-booster ahead of the finals, the Cowboys ripped Canterbury Bulldogs apart to leapfrog them on the ladder and claim fifth spot in the process. North Queensland have now won six of their last seven and have scored at least 38 points in each of their last four successes.
LAST FIVE: WLWWW
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS FORM: KNIGHTS NAB FINALS BERTH
Newcastle went into their game with the Dolphins knowing that the winner would keep their season alive and advance to the finals. The Knights stepped up to the task at hand and came out on top to make it three successive victories and make the eight in the process.
LAST FIVE: WLWWW
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TEAM NEWS: MCLEAN BACK ON DECK
Thomas Mikaele is the unfortunate man to make way as James McLean returns from a hamstring issue. Sam McIntyre drops to the bench with McLean given the starting spot in the front row.
Starting 13: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Griffin Neame Reserves: 18. Jaxon Purdue 19. Chad Townsend 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Marly Bitungane 22. Tomas Chester
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS TEAM NEWS: BEST IN GRAVE DOUBT
It looks as though key man Bradman Best will be missing for this game with the New South Wales centre struggling to prove his fitness after suffering from a hamstring injury. That is likely to create a spot in the 17 for Kai Pearce-Paul to come in off the extended bench.
Starting 13: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott Bench: 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. Kai Pearce-Paul
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS PREDICTION
North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights will both fancy their chances of prolonging their season by at least a week as they do battle but the home side will take some beating in Townsville. The Knights come into this on a high having turned their season around to snatch eighth spot but with a change likely to come in the centres with Bradman Best set to be ruled out, one of their most potent attacking weapons will be taken away from them. That will only make their task all the more difficult and with the Cowboys looking so dangerous with ball in hand of late, it is hard to see beyond the North Queensland outfit.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS TIP: NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TO WIN
