Cowboys coach Todd Payten is looking for an immediate response from his team as they return to Sydney for the second-straight week on Sunday.
The Cowboys were stunned by the Eels 27-20 on Saturday night and the challenges don’t get any easier in Round 7, with the side to face the table-topping Cronulla Sharks at PointsBet Stadium.
North Queensland made 11 errors and conceded eight penalties in the loss and will need to clean up those areas of their game if they are to rebound against the Sharks.
Cronulla soared to the top of the ladder with a 34-22 win over South Sydney and they’re looking to build on an impressive start to the season with a third-straight victory.
The Sharks will be without winger Sione Katoa who received a one-game suspension after pleading guilty to a Grade Two Careless High Tackle charge.
In positive news, coach Craig Fitzgibbons is starting to welcome back his injured troops, with Toby Rudolf returning last weekend and Dale Finucane and Braden Hamlin-Uele in the frame to feature on Sunday.
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Team News
Sharks: The home side remain 1-17 with Kayal Iro remaining in the centres and Siosifa Talakai on the bench alongside Jack Williams, Toby Rudolf and Braden Hamlin-Uele. Thomas Hazelton and Oregon Kaufusi have been named to start in a new-look front row combination.
Cowboys: A late change on game day sees Jack Gosiewski start in the secondrow for the first time in 2024 with Jeremiah Nanai dropping back to the bench. Semi Valemei joined the side on Saturday for Murray Taulagi (hamstring) while Tom Chester is set to feature at centre for a while after a strong showing last week. Thomas Mikaele is 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Sharks have won 10 of their past 11 games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored eight tries in his past seven games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 30 tries in 27 games at PointsBet Stadium.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater will play his 100th game for the club.
- The Sharks have won four of their past five games at PointsBet Stadium.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.