The Cowboys have found their mojo with wins over three of last year's finalists in consecutive weeks and now find themselves just two points outside the top eight.
After putting 45 points on the Storm in Round 14 the Cowboys outlasted Penrith in a golden point thriller and then piled on five tries in a 31-6 demolition of the Rabbitohs.
With their back three of Scott Drinkwater, Semi Valemei and Murray Taulagi combining for 575 running metres the Cowboys got on the front foot early and dominated the Rabbitohs, but fresh in coach Todd Payten's mind will be the fact the Tigers embarrassed his men 66-18 at Leichhardt Oval just six weeks ago.
That worst loss in Payten's time at the club saw the Cowboys plummet to 14th on the table but their revival has been impressive and they look to keep the roll going against the Tigers before a bye in Round 19 and a clash with the Sea Eagles in Round 20.
In the absence of key playmakers Luke Brooks and Api Koroisau, the Tigers will turn to David Klemmer and John Bateman for leadership as they look to climb out of the cellar and avoid consecutive wooden spoons.
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Team News
Cowboys: Captain Jason Taumalolo (hamstring) is good to go and joins the bench in place of Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. There are no other late changes, with Blues hooker Reece Robson OK to start after suffering his own hamstring issue last week. Kyle Feldt is the 18th man.
Wests Tigers: Just one change from the 17 named on Tuesday, which sees Alex Seyfarth come onto the bench and Asu Kepaoa drop back to be the replacement player. Daine Laurie comes in at five-eighth for his first game since Round 4, so Starford To'a moves back to the centres. Young hooker Tallyn Da Silva retains his place with Api Koroisau (jaw) sidelined.
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Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have the highest missed tackle count (601) in the NRL while the Tigers have missed the least tackes (382).
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has come up with 16 try assists in 13 games. Brandon Wakeham is the Tigers' best with five.
- The biggest win in Cowboys history was against the Tigers in Round 22, 2014... 64-6 at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville.
- The Cowboys have won six from eight at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in 2023.
- Wests Tigers have won three of their past four games in Townsville.
- The Cowboys have scored 103 points in consecutive wins over the Storm, Panthers and Rabbitohs.
- Tigers centre Starford To’a has scored four tries in his past four games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has scored seven tries in 10 games against Wests Tigers.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.