Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 18 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Cronulla Sharks game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday July 15, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks Odds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks Preview
North Queensland moved into outright second during its bye week and have only suffered one defeat – to Penrith in its past 11 games. The competition’s second-best defensive unit has conceded 26 points in each of last two games, yet showed impressive qualities in overcoming Manly and Brisbane.
Maroons players Tom Gilbert and Tom Dearden have been named to back up, but Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai will be rested and Jordan McLean and Murray Taulagi – both ruled out of the decider – are not available. Brendan Elliott and Connelly Lemuelu return, while Coen Hess and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown are in the starting pack.
Fourth-placed, 11-5 Cronulla chalked up its fourth straight win – but arguably its best since April – via a 28-6 rout of Melbourne, despite the absence of linchpin Nicho Hynes. Maligned Matt Moylan was in vintage touch, while blockbusting centre scored three tries and laid on another in a dominant display.
The Sharks are boosted by the return of Hynes and Toby Rudolf from COVID protocols, but Kiwi Test forward Briton Nikora is out suspended. Sole Origin rep Siosifa Talakai is named in the reserves.
The Sharks have won their last seven straight against the Cowboys, carving out a 48-10 win at Jubilee Oval in Round 4 last year before sneaking in 26-24 in Townsville in Round 15.
Cronulla can draw level with North Queensland via a road win here – and the visitors are certainly dealing with less line-up disruptions. But the Sharks are 4-4 away from Sydney, while the Cowboys have won their last five at Queensland Country Bank Stadium by 14-plus margins.
Chad Townsend, in his first game against the Sharks since leaving the Shire, and forward leader Jason Taumalolo will be the key figures for the Cowboys but expect their depth to come to the fore once again.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.85 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Kyle Feldt at $9.00.