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This is fourth versus fifth from the regular season as the Sharks face the Cowboys in what promises to be an extremely close and hard-fought semi
START DATE/TIME: Friday 20th September, 2024 - 10:50am / AUS - 7:50pm / US EST - 05:50am / US PST - 02:50am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live 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 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
CRONULLA SHARKS FORM: SHARKS AIMING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM HEAVY LOSS
The Sharks came unstuck last week at the hands of the Melbourne Storm 37-10 so they drop into the semi-finals and now face the Cowboys. They enjoyed an outstanding first half of the season, topping the ladder up for several weeks until round 13 when the Storm overtook them. While their results have been mixed since then, they will be looking to tune up for the business end of the season and sudden death.
LAST FIVE: WWLWL
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS FORM: COWBOYS WITH GOOD MOMENTUM COMING INTO THIS SEMI
The Cowboys come into this match with plenty of momentum having won their last four matches in a row and they reached this stage after beating the Newcastle Knights 28-16. Their second half of the season has been strong and this winning run also includes a 38-30 win over Melbourne Storm so confidence is high right now.
LAST FIVE: LWWWW
CRONULLA SHARKS TEAM NEWS: UNCHANGED TEAM PENDING JESSE RAMIEN’S POTENTIAL RETURN
Jesse Ramien is the centre of attention for this match as the centre continues to recover from an ankle problem. He was a late withdrawal from the match with the Storm last weekend and he will replace Sifa Talakai if he is passed fit. Otherwise, they will go unchanged from last time out.
Starting 13: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. SiosifaI Talakai, 4. Kayal Iro, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Toby Rudolf, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Oregon Kaufusi, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cam McInnes (c)
Interchange: 14. Daniel Atkinson, 15. Jack Williams, 16. Royce Hunt, 17. Tom Hazelton
Reserves: 21. Sam Stonestree, 22. Jesse Ramien
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TEAM NEWS: UNCHANGED LINE-UP FOR TODD PAYTEN
Cowboys coach Todd Payten was able to name an unchanged line-up for this crunch semi-final as Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi have overcome shoulder and hamstring troubles and are fit to play.
Chad Townsend, Braidon Burns and Tom Chester were the three players to drop out of the 22-player squad initially named.
Starting 13: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Valentine Holmes, 4. Viliami Vailea, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden (c), 7. Jake Clifford, 8. Jordan McLean, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Jason Taumalolo, 11. Heilum Luki, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Reuben Cotter (c)
Interchange: 14. Sam McIntyre, 15. Harrison Edwards, 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 17. Griffin Neame
Reserves: 18. Jaxon Purdue, 20. Tom Mikaele
CRONULLA SHARKS VS NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS PREDICTION
Previous meetings between these two teams have often been close but it is the Sharks who have ultimately dominated winning 11 of their last 13 clashes with the Cowboys.
The Sharks should have the edge in support at the Allianz Stadium and they will also feel they have had the edge in meetings this season despite each team winning one apiece. They dominated the first match 42-6 and while the Cowboys won the second match 30-22, the Sharks were significantly understrength.
That will not be the case here and while the Cowboys arguably have the edge in momentum, we like how the Sharks match up against the Cowboys.
CRONULLA SHARKS VS NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TIP: CRONULLA SHARKS TO WIN