Cowboys v Knights: McLean confirmed to return; Ponga to come from bench
The Cowboys will be desperate to break their three-game losing streak when they host a Knights team that will be stinging after a hard-fought golden point loss to the Panthers.
Adam O'Brien's men face a long road trip to Townsville after a Nathan Cleary field goal broke their hearts last Saturday but the expected return of skipper Kalyn Ponga should be enough to put the spring back in their step at Newcastle this week.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys will be hoping to make amends with their faithful after losing to the Dolphins at home in Round 6.
While coach Todd Payten said he saw improvement in his side's third-straight loss to the Warriors on Saturday, the North Queenslanders are a long way from the form that carried them all the way to the preliminary final last year.
Despite their 16th placed position on the ladder, if history is any indication, the Cowboys know how to tackle the Novocastrians at home, defeating the Knights 36-16 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Round 9 last season.
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Cowboys
13th Position
away Team
Knights
10th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: Jake Granville will start at lock and Reuben Cotter reverts to the bench in a game day switch. Riley Price is 18th Man. Jordan McLean is confirmed to return from a hamstring injury but superstar Jason Taumalolo faces up to six weeks on the sideline with a knee injury.
Knights: Tyson Gamble will start at five-eighth and returning skipper Kalyn Ponga goes to the interchange in a late switch an hour before kick-off. Kurt Mann will start the game at lock with Mat Croker and Jack Hetherington on the bench alongside Ponga and Jacob Saifiti, who returns from a four-game suspension.
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta HikuCentre 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 14 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 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen HessProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Jack Gosiewski2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 15 Jake GranvilleLock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterInterchange for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Tom ChesterInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownInterchange for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Mitchell DunnInterchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Hetherington
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Riley PriceReplacement for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have scored 32 points or more in their past three games against the Knights in Townsville.
- The Knights have had two wins, a draw and a one-point loss in their past four games.
- Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored nine tries in his past 11 games at QCB Stadium.
- Knights captain Kalyn Ponga will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Since 2015 the Cowboys have won only 36 percent of their games without Jason Taumalolo.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
