Cowboys v Wests Tigers: Key trio ruled out; McGrath to debut
The Cowboys are eager to remain in touch with the NRLW's top four while the Wests Tigers are chasing their first win of the season when the two sides face off on Saturday.
North Queensland suffered a 38-12 loss to the Broncos last Sunday. The defeat left them in seventh place, two points outside the four with three games remaining.
This weekend provides the opportunity to return to Townsville and they will be looking to make the most of their home comforts in the hot early spring conditions.
The Cowboys will be without Lily Peacock, who suffered a head knock in last week's loss, with China Polata and Krystal Blackwell also out of the starting side.
It's been a challenging season for the Wests Tigers, with the side still chasing their first victory of the year.
Brett Kimmorley's team was outclassed by the Knights last Sunday, but they are eager to find form throughout the final three weeks of the season.
Match: Cowboys v Wests Tigers
Round 7 -
home Team
Cowboys
6th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: A late change an hour before kick-off with Sareka Mooka starting the game and Tallisha Harden moving back to the bench. China Polata (knee) and Lily Peacock (head knock) are both out of the starting side. Shaniah Power comes from the bench into the second row. Vitalina Naikore also comes back via the wing, with Francesca Goldthorp in at fullback and Krystal Blackwell the 18th player as she battles a quad issue. Lillian Yarrow is the new face on the bench.
Wests Tigers: Late changes for the Tigers with Pauline Piliae-Rasabale moving from five-eighth to the centres and Shaianne McGlone dropping back to the interchange bench. Evie McGrath will make her NRLW debut at five-eighth in jersey No.18, with Chelsea Savill also making in her NRLW debut off the bench. Centre Leianne Tufuga was ruled out with a knee injury on Friday. Rikeya Horne will return from the concussion protocol while Ebony Prior will start at hooker with Salma Nour out with injury.
Match: Cowboys v Wests Tigers
Round 7 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca GoldthorpFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Vitalina NaikoreWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Tiana-Lee Thorne
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jakiya WhitfeldCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Rikeya Horne
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine PetersCentre for Wests Tigers is number 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Lavinia TauhalalikuWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Rebecca Pollard
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tahlulah TillettFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 18 Evie McGrath
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra DibbHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Losana Lutu
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Essay BanuProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma ManzelmannHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Ebony Prior
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 16 Sareka MookaProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shaniah Power2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Brooke Talataina
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Montana Clifford
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree ChesterLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada George
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha HardenInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Shaianne McGlone
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jetaya FaifuaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara Reinke
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lillian YarrowInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Natasha Penitani
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 22 Shellie LongInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Chelsea Savill
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Krystal BlackwellReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Claudia Nielsen
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won two from two at QCB Stadium this season.
- Wests Tigers have lost all three games played in Queensland.
- Cowboys second-rower Tiana Raftstrand-Smith has scored four tries in her past five games.
- Wests Tigers have conceded 78 points in their past two games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
