Finals Week 2: North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors

[Queenslander]

Semi-Final: Game Two

North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors
Dairy Farmers Stadium; Sunday 16th September, 4:00pm

vs

Referee: Tony Archer

Team Notes

Cowboys (3rd Place)

- The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have named an unchanged line up to take on the Warriors in week 2 of the Telstra Premiership Finals this Sunday at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

- Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb will be given as long as possible to recover from a tear to his hamstring suffered in the win against the bulldogs last weekend. The game will be played Sunday at Dairy Farmers Stadium kick off at 4pm.


Warriors (4th Place)

- Veteran centre Tony Martin has won a recall and long-serving back rower Wairangi Koopu has been promoted to the starting line-up for the Vodafone Warriors’ play-off against the Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville on Sunday.

- Martin's return for his 122nd first-grade appearance follows winger Patrick Ah Van being ruled out today with a hamstring injury. He will come into the side in his customary position at right centre with Todd Byrne moving onto the right wing after playing in the centres since Jerome Ropati was ruled out for the season.

- In another change Koopu will start in the back row, swapping places with fellow veteran Logan Swann, who is one of five players included on the interchange bench along with Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki and Louis Anderson.


Teams:

1. Matt Bowen
2. Ty Williams
3. Ashley Graham
4. Paul Bowman
5. Ben Farrar
6. Justin Smith
7. Johnathan Thurston (c)
8. Matt Scott
9. Aaron Payne
10. Carl Webb
11. Sam Faust
12. Matthew Bartlett
13. Mark Henry

Interchange:

14. David Faiumu
15. Jason Smith
16. Jacob Lillyman
17. Ray Cashmere
18. Neil Sweeney (one to be omitted)

1. Wade McKinnon
2. Todd Byrne
3. Tony Martin
4. Simon Mannering
5. Michael Crockett
6. Michael Witt
7. Grant Rovelli
8. Sam Rapira
9. Nathan Fien
10. Steve Price (c)
11. Ruben Wiki
12. Logan Swann
13. Micheal Luck

Interchange:

14. Logan Swann
15. Evarn Tuimavave
16. Epalahame Lauaki
17. Louis Anderson
18. George Gatis (one to be omitted)

[Queenslander]

Cowboys down to last man standing

By Dan Koch
September 10, 2007

THE personnel "problem" that North Queensland has defied all season appears to have hit crisis point at the worst time.

The Cowboys are set to challenge New Zealand Warriors' enormous pack on Sunday with just one of their first-choice big men available for selection.

State of Origin prop Matt Scott, who has rediscovered his best form over the past month after an injury-plagued 12 months, is likely to be the only front-line forward at coach Graham Murray's disposal for the elimination final.

The Warriors are an imposing side boasting veteran internationals Steve Price, Ruben Wiki and Logan Swann and emerging young bull Sam Rapira.

The Cowboys' joy of Saturday night's hard-fought win over the Bulldogs in Townsville was tempered somewhat by news that forward leader Carl Webb had torn a calf muscle, while hard-hitting Queensland representative Jacob Lillyman is facing a possible suspension for a high tackle on Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten.

They will join Luke O'Donnell (hamstring), Shane Tronc (knee), Steve Southern (shoulder) and Sione Faumuina (suspension) on an absentee list unrivalled by any of the remaining teams.

That list leaves Scott and hooker Aaron Payne as the only members of the Cowboys' starting pack still standing. And they have the responsibility of mixing it with the game's most imposing pack alongside unheralded youngsters Matt Bartlett, Sam Faust and Scott Bolton, who is in line for a call-up to first grade following Webb's injury.

"We have lost a lot of troops right through the year, good quality ones at that," Payne said.

"It makes things hard and it is always a blow when you lose blokes who are Origin or international players, like we have done.

"But the young guys we have brought in have stepped up to the mark every time. We played the Bulldogs two weeks in a row and more than matched it with them in the middle both times. And they have one of the best packs going around."

While dynamic playmakers Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston have deservedly earned many plaudits for their attacking skills, Payne backed Thurston's view that he and Bowen could not have done what they have this year without the hard work of the depleted pack.

"Matty and JT have been awesome all season, but they will be the first to tell you that the forwards have to be doing their job for them to do that," Payne said.

Webb will have scans on his injured calf today, but he has suffered similar injuries before and fears his season may be over.

Such a case will issue a cruel blow on Webb, who has been in outstanding form over the past six weeks.

"It was really disappointing for Charlie (Webb) and the team as well and I think everyone has got their fingers crossed that it isn't too bad," Payne said.

"He's been great for us for the past couple of months. With so many guys out he really stepped up and has been the leader of the pack out there.

"He is one of those guys who other guys like to follow, so he is definitely going to be missed."

Payne said that he and Scott each had to assume a greater on-field leadership role in the absence of Webb, and he backed the 110kg prop to do just that.

"I guess now more than ever we need him to really step up," he said of Scott.

"But he has been playing some really good footy the past few weeks and I think he will relish the chance to take on a bit more responsibility."

The Australian

[Capital_Shark]

Provided Bowen and Thurston aren't injured it doesn't matter who fills the jerseys up front.

Provided their defense is in check, Warriors will win this.

[Cowboy Titan]

Provided their defense is in check, Warriors will win this.

It's not a game I'd go into with a heap of confidence, especially with Carl Webb injured, but I think the Cowboys pack matched the much higher rated Doggies pack 2 weeks in a row.

Maybe Townsville can turn on a nice hot, humid Sunday afternoon to even things up a bit.

[Robbie_Dee]

The Weather has gotta give us a massive edge. 4pm Sunday arvo, will be tough for Warriors.

I'm worried about our Pack but. I'm not sure how much longer they can dominate other teams packs, especially the strength and size of Warriors. Hopefully the home crowd can bring em over the line in a close one!

Will be a great game!

[Cowboy Titan]

The Weather has gotta give us a massive edge. 4pm Sunday arvo, will be tough for Warriors.

I drove out of Townsville at around 10:30 yesterday morning and it was already quite warm. As Peter parr said this afternoon, which ever team makes more mistakes will suffer the most if the have to keep using all their energy defending.

[Steelers]

The game is going to be tight until the last 20-odd minutes. Matty Bowen and Wade McKinnon will absolutely tear the other team apart in the final quarter. It's a flip of the cion job for mine, but I would say the Cowboys, based on the fact that they are at home.

[PROMETHEUS]

Agree about the weather,noticed in the dogs game the players looked like they had been hosed down! Bloody humidity will slow the big Kiwis..

[Capital_Shark]

Cowboys haven't fared too well in the small amount of day games they've played this year though, and there are a few QLD'ers in the Warriors side so the heat won't be totally foreign.

[Chaos]

Everyone knows the danger men playing for the Cowboys are Thurston and Bowen but the Warriors defence has impressed me and Thurston will struggle with the limited time he'll get creating plays.

Cowboys must control Mckinnin and Fien to beat the Warriors.
I thought Mckinnin would be easy to handle because he doesn't pass the ball but like Minichello in the past, teams still mark his supporter.
Fien destroyed the Titans up the middle and if Mckinnin makes a break...you can be sure the next play Fien will find a hole around the ruck.

I'm tipping the Warriors in this one.

[Super Cronk]

Source: Cowboys.com.au

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have named an unchanged line up to take on the Warriors in week 2 of the Telstra Premiership Finals this Sunday at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb will be given as long as possible to recover from a tear to his hamstring suffered in the win against the bulldogs last weekend. The game will be played Sunday at Dairy Farmers Stadium kick off at 4pm.

[jenny]

Murray names 18-man Cowboys squad

September 11, 2007

North Queensland coach Graham Murray has named an 18-man squad for Sunday's NRL semi-final against New Zealand Warriors at Townsville, giving injured prop Carl Webb until the last minute to overcome a calf injury.

Murray has kept the same 17 that defeated the Bulldogs 20-18 in last weekend's qualifying final at Townsville and added Neil Sweeney to an extended bench.

Meanwhile the Warriors have also named their side.

Warriors squad: Wade McKinnon, Todd Byrne, Tony Martin, Simon Mannering, Michael Crockett, Michael Witt, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Nathan Fien, Steve Price (capt), Ruben Wiki, Wairangi Koopu, Micheal Luck. Reserves: Logan Swann, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Louis Anderson, George Gatis.

Cowboys squad: Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Ben Farrar, Justin Smith, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Sam Faust, Matthew Bartlett, Mark Henry. Interchange: David Faiumu, Jason Smith, Jacob Lillyman, Ray Cashmere, Neil Sweeney (one to be omitted).

? 2007 AAP

[jenny]

Cowboys can't contemplate Webb loss

September 11, 2007 - 7:10PM

It takes a lot to faze the depleted Cowboys pack - the hardened North Queensland forwards have already cleared hurdles this season that would have toppled a lesser team.

But it seems losing Queensland Origin forward Carl Webb for Sunday's NRL semi-final against New Zealand Warriors at Townsville is just too daunting a prospect to contemplate for the patched-up Cowboys.

Webb was on Tuesday named in an 18-man Cowboys squad for the Warriors clash but will be racing the clock to be fit after scans this week detected a small tear in his right calf.

He will undergo intensive physiotherapy sessions twice a day and be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.

The North Queensland pack is no stranger to hardship - they are without forwards Luke O'Donnell (hamstring), Shane Tronc (knee), Steve Southern (knee) and Sione Faumuina (suspension) for the rest of the season.

But North Queensland's Kiwi hooker David Faiumu on Tuesday night just couldn't bring himself to think about losing their enforcer before their crucial NRL clash against a desperate Warriors.

"I want to stay away from that question. Fingers crossed he is playing. We will remain positive," he said.

"We've overcome our share of problems this season but losing Charlie (Webb) would be devastating - we are just hoping he comes good.

"The coaching staff will give him every chance to be right."

Webb will undergo everything from acupuncture and icing sessions to massage during the week in a desperate bid to prove his fitness.

It is understood Scott Bolton, Ben Vaeau and John Frith have all been added to the Cowboys' full-time squad as possible replacements for Webb.

The Cowboys have called on the likes of unheralded trio Matthew Bartlett, Sam Faust and Mark Henry to help carry the load in the forwards this season with veteran centre Paul Bowman also forced to share the role of lock.

But Faiumu said the way the Cowboys big boys had rolled with every punch this season had only lifted their spirits before tackling a massive Warriors pack boasting prop of the year Steve Price.

"To finish outright third (after the regular season) and earn our second home final, it is a confidence boost," he said.

"All the young fellas have really stepped up and made their mark.

"We are happy with how we are going, enjoying our football and that's how we will approach the game."

Despite booking another home final, North Queensland is on the fifth tier of premiership betting at $11, ahead of only Warriors ($13) according to sportsTAB.

"We've had the underdog tag for a while. We've been flying under the radar for a fair bit," Faiumu said.

"We've had a few players out so no one is expecting us to do much.

"We will just go out there and give the Warriors everything we've got."

Despite North Queensland having an ordinary 41 per cent winning record for day home games - winning just 12 of 29 games - Faiumu said you could never discount the Cowboys supporters as a factor.

"Everyone knows how crazy it is up here, it's all true what they say," he laughed.

"When we are out on our feet on the field the crowd gets right behind us - you feel like you are playing for the town and the people, as well as yourself and your team.

"They are a massive confidence boost for the side."

Cowboys coach Graham Murray on Tuesday named the same 17 that beat the Bulldogs last weekend 20-18, adding Neil Sweeney to an extended bench.

? 2007 AAP

[jenny]

Martin gets finals reprieve for Warriors

September 11, 2007 - 6:00PM

Veteran centre Tony Martin has been recalled to play his first NRL match since June in the Warriors' sudden-death NRL semi-final against North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Sunday.

Martin has not played in first grade since round 15, after which he was dropped to premier league by Warriors coach Ivan Cleary.

But Cleary recalled the former Melbourne Storm centre after winger Patrick Ah Van was ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury.

Martin will come into the side in his customary position at right centre with Todd Byrne moving to the right wing after playing in the centres since injury ruled Jerome Ropati out for the season.

Logan Swann, who squandered a try in last week's qualifying final by going himself despite having two unmarked teammates on his outside, was dropped to the bench by Cleary and replaced by Wairangi Koopu.

"Wai deserves his reward. He's been playing really well for us off the bench and has earned the chance to have a start," Cleary said.

"And with Patrick not right, it's good to be able call on a player as experienced as Tony.

"He went back to premier league a while ago and did a really good job for the Auckland Lions."

Simon Mannering, Micheal Luck and Cleary will reach half-century milestones on Sunday.

The Warriors earned a second chance in this year's playoffs despite losing 12-10 to Parramatta in Auckland last Friday.

They have had a win and a loss against the Cowboys this year, losing 18-12 in Townsville in July after winning 34-14 in Auckland.

The Cowboys named prop Carl Webb for the match despite confirmation he has a torn calf.

North Queensland coach Graham Murray named Webb to take his spot in the front row and also named a five-man bench, including playmaker Jason Smith and Queensland forward Jacob Lillyman.

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has named practically a full-strength line-up for Saturday night's semi-final with Parramatta at Telstra Stadium.

Folkes welcomes back Kiwi superstar Sonny Bill Williams from a one-match suspension for his late hit on Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston two weeks ago.

The Dogs have all their key men, including Williams, Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley fit for the clash as they attempt to turn around a three-game losing streak and set up a preliminary final with minor premiers Melbourne.

"I guess you need and want your best players around at semis time and we're fortunate that is the case," Folkes said.

Meanwhile, Parramatta have made only one change from last week's 12-10 win over the Warriors in Auckland, recalling Joel Reddy to replace Ben Smith in the centres.

Smith injured his knee last week against the Warriors and underwent minor surgery on Tuesday morning.

? 2007 AAP

[PROMETHEUS]

Another hot,humid day could possible see the end of the warriors for this year.