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View Full Version : Round 23 North Queensland Cowboys v Warriors



TITAN PETE
09-08-12, 07:28 AM
SATURDAY

North Queensland Cowboys v Warriors at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7:30pm (local). #NRLNQLWAR

COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange (from): Ray Thompson, Ricky Thorby, Ashton Sims, Scott Bolton, Anthony Mitchell, Joel Riethmuller

WARRIORS: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Lewis Brown, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Carlos Tuimavave, Shaun Johnson, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Ben Henry, Elijah Taylor. Interchange (from): Russell Packer, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Micheal Luck, Steve Rapira, Sam Lousi

TITAN PETE
09-08-12, 09:21 AM
Cowboys v Warriors preview

RSS
NRL.com Wed, Aug 08, 2012 - 3:45 PM


North Queensland Cowboys v Warriors
Dairy Farmers Stadium
Saturday 7.30pm

Another huge game for both clubs this weekend, but can the Warriors make it a contest?

While there was certainly no shame in defeat for North Queensland last week in their brutal clash with fellow top-four contenders Manly, the Warriors? season is on its death bed after their woeful performance at home to Cronulla last Sunday.

Having thrown away 18-0 leads in consecutive losses to Newcastle and Manly, it seems the emotional let-down of so many missed opportunities finally caught up with them in their 45-4 capitulation and, to be honest, it would take a minor miracle for them to turn it all around in time to reach the finals.

This week?s clash looms as a huge test for the Kiwi outfit ? in more ways than one. Their first task will be restoring some level of pride after last week?s thrashing, because anything but a newfound commitment in defence will see their season come to a premature end.

But they must also contend with a Cowboys outfit with plenty to play for and a spring in their step given the impressive form they?ve displayed since the representative season concluded.

The Cowboys are coming off the back of consecutive losses themselves, although they?ve performed strongly in falling to the competition favourites Canterbury and a narrow 8-6 loss to Manly last weekend. They will also be keen to use the home ground advantage against a Warriors side that has travelled from Auckland to Perth, back to Auckland and now up to Townsville in the space of a fortnight.

The Warriors have long been a dangerous side ? capable of putting any opponent to the sword on their day ? but with their defence in disarray they face a tough outing against the attacking brilliance of Johnathan Thurston, Matt Bowen and co.

North Queensland coach Neil Henry has stuck with the same 17 that lost to Manly last week, with Ricky Thorby and Anthony Mitchell added to a 19-man bench.

The Warriors have recalled veteran lock Micheal Luck and centre Konrad Hurrell after both proved their fitness early in the week; however they will be without five-eighth James Maloney (knee) and prop Ben Matulino (pec tear).

Luck will start from the bench with Ben Henry moving from the centres to the second row and Elijah Taylor the starting lock.

Ominously the Warriors have lost each of their past seven games at Dairy Farmer Stadium.

Watch Out Cowboys: It is vital that North Queensland respect the football and don?t give their opponents any opportunity to attack in a broken play situation. Why? Because no side in the competition is as lethal when it comes to broken play than the Warriors, who have scored 11 tries in such situations this season (five more than the next-best side).

Danger Sign: The Cowboys might have the attacking brilliance to go a long way this season but they will need to plug their centre defence if they hope to challenge for the title. Neil Henry?s men have conceded more tries up the middle than any of their opponents in this year?s premiership with 21 scored around the sticks. The Warriors should focus on using their little men to attack up the middle this week.

Watch Out Warriors: How do you stop Matt Bowen? The veteran fullback has been instrumental in North Queensland?s impressive season to date ? averaging 100 metres per game as well as contributing nine tries, 15 line-breaks, 19 try assists, 13 line-break assists and 89 tackle-breaks. The Warriors must guard him closely.

Danger Sign: While North Queensland have struggled defensively up the middle, it is out wide that the Warriors have leaked points this year. They have conceded just 11 tries up the middle but a whopping 37 on their left edge and 35 on their right. The Warriors? edge defenders struggle to read certain plays ? and that?s a massive concern against a side like North Queensland who use more decoy runners than any other side in the NRL (788 decoy runs).

Matt Bowen v Kevin Locke: Two fullbacks blessed with speed to burn and the ability to slice through the defensive line in a thrilling battle of the little men. It?s been a tough year for Locke with injury but he was a key player in the Warriors? charge to the grand final 12 months ago and they will be hoping he can help spark another late run. Bowen, on the other hand, has been brilliant all year and it will be his combination with Johnathan Thurston that poses the greatest threat to the Warriors? defensive line.