North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Regular Season
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These two top eight teams are separated by just four points on the ladder so it is a crucial contest for both. North Queensland Cowboys still have plenty to do to secure a spot in the finals but a win would help them narrow the gap to the third-placed Cronulla Sharks and tighten things up in those spots.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Saturday 27th July, 2024 - 8:30am / AUS - 5:30pm / US EST - 3:30am / US PST - 12:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League in Australia / This match will not be broadcast live 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: COWBOYS MAKE IT THREE FROM FOUR
North Queensland secured a crucial victory as they edged Canterbury Bulldogs last week. That two-point victory made it three wins from their last four games and they have some good momentum behind them ahead of the business end of the season.
LAST FIVE: LWWLW
CRONULLA SHARKS FORM: SHARKS AVOID FOURTH STRAIGHT LOSS
In a game they were expected to win, Cronulla did not disappoint as they annihilated Wests Tigers last time out. They amassed 58 points to claim a first win in four games but this is a much tougher assignment.
LAST FIVE: WLLLW
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TEAM NEWS: TAULAGI COULD FEATURE
Having been forced to sit out Game 3 of the State of Origin series because of a hamstring issue, Murray Taulagi will be hoping to make his return here. He is listed among the reserves so will need to prove his fitness before kick-off.
Starting 13: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 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. Jake Granville 19. Braidon Burns 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Murray Taulagi 22. Jake Clifford
CRONULLA SHARKS TEAM NEWS: ISON TO MAKE NRL DEBUT
Will Kennedy has been somewhat controversially banned for making contact with an official in the big win over Wests so Craig Fitzgibbon has opted to hand an NRL debut to Liam Ison while Siosifa Talakai is back from a ban.
Starting 13: 1. Liam Ison 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 8. Royce Hunt 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes Bench: 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Thomas Hazelton 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18. Billy Burns 19. Samuel Stonestreet 20. Niwhai Puru 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Jack Williams
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS CRONULLA SHARKS PREDICTION
North Queensland Cowboys know they need a strong end to the season if they are to finish in the top eight but they have done well of late with three wins in their last four matches. They take on a Cronulla Sharks side here that occupy a place in the top four but they have managed to win just one of their last four and while that was in their most recent fixture, this is a tough trip for them so side with the hosts to edge this and further improve on their recent record.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS CRONULLA SHARKS TIP: NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS TO WIN
