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Cowboys v Dragons: Surha joins injured list; Murdoch, Mulhall to start

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The Cowboys and Dragons meet in Round 7 with both effectively facing must-win scenarios if they are to remain in the hunt for the finals in 2023.

After each suffering close defeats in Round 6, both sides now find themselves four points adrift of the fourth-ranked Raiders and with three games to go probably can’t afford to drop another one. 

North Queensland will rue a blown opportunity to pick up a third win in their maiden campaign, after being made to pay for a sluggish start against the previously winless Eels in a 16-12 loss, which saw them stage a comeback in vain with 11 minutes to play.

It was a case of déjà vu for the Dragons, who suffered their second one-point loss of the season last week against the Titans after a final minute field goal from Lauren Brown.  

It was the third week in a row Jamie Soward’s side have gone down by a margin of four points or less and came despite fullback Teagan Berry’s spectacular four-try showing.

Missed tackles were again a major issue, with another 39 leaving them as the competition’s worst offenders in that category.

Team News

Cowboys: No further game day changes after April Ngatupuna was promoted to the starting side and Makenzie Weale went to the bench in a swap 24 hours before kick-off. Lily Peacock has been added to the bench on with Jessikah Reeves dropping out. The absence of Libby Surha (shoulder) forces a reshuffle in the forward pack. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith moves to the edge, China Polata goes to lock and Sera Koroi returns to the interchange.

Dragons: Roxy Murdoch and Madison Mulhall came into the starting pack an hour before kick-off with Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and Jamilee Bright going to the bench. Taylor Mapusua came in on the wing on Friday and Maddison Weatherall joined the 17. Cortez Te Pou and Kaarla Cowan dropped out of the squad and Macie Carlile went to 18th player. With Keele Browne (leg) out, Shenai Lendill moves to the centres. Renee Targett returns at hooker.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Vitalina Naikore
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Margot Vella
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jasmine Peters
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Shenai Lendill
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Shellie Long
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Cheynoah Amone
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Krystal Blackwell
    Winger for Dragons is number 21 Taylor Mapusua
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tahlulah Tillett
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyla King
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra Dibb
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha Harden
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Tara  McGrath-West
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Renee Targett
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 22 April Ngatupuna
    Prop for Dragons is number 16 Roxy Murdoch
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Bree Chester
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ella Koster
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 18 Madison Mulhall
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 China Polata
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
    Interchange for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jetaya Faifua
    Interchange for Dragons is number 12 Jamilee Bright
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sera Koroi
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali Hopkins
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Lily Peacock
    Interchange for Dragons is number 22 Maddison Weatherall  

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 24 Mia Middleton
  • Reserve for Dragons is number 17 Macie Carlile

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Belinda Sharpe

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Both sides have won two of their last five games this season after narrow defeats in Round 6.
  • Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored nine tries in six matches in 2023.
  • The Dragons are completing at 81 percent for the season while the Cowboys are at 75 percent.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.