Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 9 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 7:35 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. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday May 7, 2022 at 7:35 pm
Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Odds
North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Preview
North Queensland has surged to third with three straight wins, following up their 18-12 comeback win in Canberra with emphatic victories over Gold Coast (30-4) and Parramatta (35-4).
The Cowboys’ defence is the second-best in the comp (12.1 points conceded per game) and now they’re starting too pile on a few points with the ball in hand.
A pack boasting a rejuvenated Taumalolo and a clutch of Queensland Origin bolters is running riot, and a relatively low-profile spine is on fire.
Trending in the opposite trajectory, Newcastle has plummeted to last place via six consecutive losses.
The embattled Knights have managed just a pair of penalty goals in heavy losses to the Eels and Storm over the past fortnight, while leaking 89 points.
The Knights have conceded more points than any team in the NRL, while only the Bulldogs have scored less.
Adam O’Brien has pulled the trigger, with Tex Hoy and Phoenix Crossland the new halves pairing for axed Jake Clifford and injured Adam Clune.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Dom Young return from injury at the expense of Brodie Jones and Simi Sasagi.
Sauaso Sue is also out while Mat Croker and Pasama Saulo join the bench.
The teams’ last eight encounters were won by the home team, with Newcastle last winning in Townsville in 2015 – a season where the Cowboys won the comp and the Knights collected the spoon.
Their last five clashes featured an average margin of 22.8 points.
It’s very difficult to make a case for the Knights on the road here even as 15.5-point underdogs – they have been horrific of late.
Todd Payten has apparently unlocked the Cowboys’ potential and they’re unlikely to look a gift horse in the mouth by stumbling at home here.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win at $1.17 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Murray Taulagi at $8.25.
North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Teams
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Heilum Luki 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Jake Granville 20. Kane Bradley 21. Ben Condon 22. Emry Pere 23. Taniela Sadrugu 24. Brendan Elliot
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tex Hoy 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Jack Johns 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Mathew Croker 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Krystian Mapapalangi 20. Jaron Purcell 21. Brayden Musgrove 22. Dylan Phythian 23. Kobe Rugless 24. Ben Talty