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Cowboys v Sharks; Taulagi set to return; Sharks lose Hunt

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The Cowboys are out to solidify their place inside the top eight when they host the Sharks on Saturday night. 

The Cowboys secured a crucial two points with a tense victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday to ensure they remained in eighth place after 20 rounds. 

North Queensland are one of four teams on 24 competition points, with the Raiders in 10th place on 22 points and a further three teams on 20. 

That means every game for the Cowboys is crucial in the run to the finals and they are determined to make it two in a row this weekend. 

Cronulla will travel to Townsville full of confidence having claimed a dominant 42-6 victory over North Queensland in Round 7. 

The Sharks have had a week off to freshen up after a convincing 52-point win over Wests Tigers a fortnight ago. 

Craig Fitzgibbon's side currently sits third on the ladder and their eager to maintain their place inside the top four. 

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Cowboys v Sharks

Team News

Cowboys: Queensland winger Murray Taulagi will return from a hamstring injury after being added to the starting side on Friday night. There was less positive news for forward Heilum Luki who was ruled out with a hamstring strain. The back-rower will be replaced by Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, with Tom Mikaele added to the bench. Taulagi's return sees Jaxon Purdue drop back to the interchange. Jake Granville was named 18th man.

Sharks: Highly-touted rookie Liam Ison is set for his NRL debut after being selected to replace the suspended Will Kennedy at fullback. Siosifa Talakai is set to provide an impact off the bench after being named to make his return from suspension on the interchange. A second Shark will make his debut on Saturday night after 29-year-old hooker was added to the bench in the 24-hour update. Royce Hunt was initially named to start at prop but did not travel with the team due to illness, with Tom Hazelton moving from the interchange to the starting side. Winger Samuel Stonestreet is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Liam Ison
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 5 Valentine Holmes
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 21 Murray Taulagi
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
    Prop for Sharks is number 15 Thomas Hazelton
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden  Hamlin-Uele 
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for Sharks is number 21 Jayden Berrell

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Samuel  Stonestreet 
  • Reserve for Cowboys is number 18 Jake Granville

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Cowboys have not defeated the Sharks in Townsville since 2018.
  • The Sharks have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Cowboys.
  • The Cowboys have won only two of their past six games at QCB Stadium.
  • Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored five tries in his past three games against the Cowboys.
  • Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored six tries in his past seven games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.