North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights
Date: Saturday June 4
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium
Kick off: 3.15pm
Teams:
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
1. Gideon Gela-Mosby, 2. Michael Carroll, 3. Bacho Salam, 4. Nathan Traill, 5. Marcus Jensen, 6. Ty Carucci, 7. Cooper Bambling, 8. Darryn Schonig, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Ross Bella, 11. Coen Hess (c), 12. Hiale Roycroft, 13. Jordan Kenworthy. Interchange: 14. Trey Kemp, 15. Tahanui Tutavake, 16. Emry Pere, 17. Nick Lui Toso, 18. Corey Horsburgh.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Dean Kouka-Smith, 3. Heath Gibbs, 4. Kainoa Gudgeon, 5. Brayden Musgrove, 6. Jake McNamara, 7. Hayden Herbert, 8, Tyrone Amey, 9. Nick Newman, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Eddy Tuilotolava, 12. Sam Stone, 13. Jayden Butterfield. Interchange: 14. Zac Hosking, 15. Tom Starling, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Mitch Casson, 18. Brodie Jones. 20. Viko Puliuvea.
Match analysis:
The NYC Newcastle Knights expect a physically taxing match against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night.
The seventh placed Knights brace themselves for a decent challenge coming up against the Cowboys who are equal second on the ladder.
"They are probably the most physical and aggressive team,” coach Todd Lowrie said.
“They are big strong and fast and come at you quite aggressively.
“We are going to have to be in that frame of mind to match them.”
However, the Knights carry the valuable confidence from last weekend’s gutsy two point win at home and are assured in their ability to execute their game plan well.
“We need to get stuck into them if to be any chance of getting on top,” he said.
“We are going to have to match that physical battle in the middle.”
Hot and humid conditions can take their toll on young players, and with many of the Knights playing their first game in far North Queensland, Lowrie has emphasised the importance of preparation.
“For the guys who haven’t played here before, I spoke to them about how it’s a little bit different up here," he said.
"They will get more tired than they usually do because of the humidity.
“It’s hot and sweaty and the ball gets quite slippery.
“I have told them back themselves and their fitness and the work they have done.”
Where it will be won:
Completion.
“The main focus up here is to get through your sets and completion rate without making too many errors and giving them the ball,” Lowrie said.
“Completion needs to be really good.”
