North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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The North Queensland Cowboys will host the Cronulla Sharks with both teams looking to bounce back after losses in their season openers
Start date/time: Saturday 15th March, 2025, UK - 6:30am / Local – 4:30pm / US ET – 2:30am / Friday 14th March, US PT – 11:30pm
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
North Queensland Cowboys Team News: Wake-up call after Sea Eagles hammering
Following on from their hammering by Manly Sea Eagles in the opening round, the North Queensland Cowboys head coach Todd Peyton has dropped Origin forward Jeremiah Nanai. The defensive side of his game, and the team overall, was abysmal last week as they found themselves 42-0 down after 58 minutes. Kai O’Donnell will make his first NRL appearance since 2020 in his place while they will have to do without Jason Taumalolo for another week as he continues to build his fitness.
Cronulla Sharks Team News: Prop Hazelton missing out with back issue
The Cronulla Sharks could take plenty of positives from their opening performance in Las Vegas as they pushed the Penrith Panthers all the way before losing 28-22. They returned home and have had plenty of time to adapt back to the timezone and they will be raring to go here. They have to do without prop Tom Hazelton who has a back issue so Tuku Hau Tapahu is called up to start in his place.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction
The Cowboys were abysmal in their opening match as they were torn apart by the Manly Sea Eagles but Todd Peyton will be demanding a response here in front of their home fans. They have received all kinds of criticism and their season has been written off by many already so it will be interesting to see how they respond.
This is not a fixture that has been kind to them however in recent years as the Sharks have dominated winning 12 of their last 14 meetings.
The Sharks also lost in the opening round but the manner of their loss was completely different to that of the Cowboys. They came out of that with credit and they will look to improve on that here.
That is ominous for the Cowboys as even if they raise their intensity levels and toughness, the Sharks are likely to do just the same and they should have too much quality for the home side.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks Tip: Cronulla Sharks to win
