The nib Newcastle Knights will head north for a second round showdown against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.
The squad will aim for their first win of the season following a last start loss to the Raiders.
Two debutants will etch their name into the Knights honour roll on Saturday night with both teams named for the battle.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Saturday 16 March
NRL kick-off: 5:30pm
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Best: 'We go again this week'
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1995
Played: 44
Cowboys: 22
Knights: 22
TEAMS
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Knights is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac LaybuttCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin NeameInterchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu FinefeuiakiInterchange for Knights is number 17 Jed Cartwright
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Thomas MikaeleReplacement for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
TUESDAY: Knights NRL Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his 22-man squad for their second round clash against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Two debutants highlight the inclusions in the side with Jed Cartwright and Tom Jenkins set to become Knight #347 and Knight #348.
Jenkins replaces Enari Tuala on the wing while Jed Cartwright joins the side for Dylan Lucas, with last round's debutant Kai Pearce-Paul named to start in the back-row.
For the Cowboys, their side is unchanged from their Round 1 team.
Thompson: 'We're looking forward to getting up there'
KEY MATCH-UP
Dane Gagai v Valentine Holmes: Two game-breaking centers will go head-to-head on Saturday night.
Gagai was one of the Knights best last Thursday night with a game-high 210 run metres, 77 post-contact metres and 5 tackle breaks.
Dane will form a right-edge combination with Knights debutant Tom Jenkins.
The veteran centre will take on the Cowboys flyer, Holmes, who had a try-assist and kicked 7/7 with the boot against the Dolphins.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights were defeated in Round 1 by the Canberra Raiders on home soil.
The side will aim to bounce back after the 28-12 defeat in the opening round.
On the other side, the Cowboys recorded a 43-12 win from the first game against the Dolphins.
The last time the two sides played was in Round 8 in 2023, having played out a close match in Townsville with the Cowboys ending on top 18-16.
STAT ATTACK
Greg Marzhew ran for 209 metres in the opening round against Canberra.
The winner on Saturday will take the lead in the win stakes between the two Clubs since the Cowboys joined the league in 1995.
The Knights will look to claim their first win in Townsville since 2015.
Tom Jenkins will make his Knights debut on the same ground where he made his NRL debut for the Panthers in late 2022.
