Cowboys v Wests Tigers: Key trio ruled out; Centre pair return
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
7th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: China Polata (knee) and Lily Peacock (head knock) are both out of the starting side, with Tallisha Harden named at prop and Shaniah Power coming from the bench into the second row. Essay Banu has also been promoted to start with Harata Butler reverting to the bench. 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: A new centre pairing this week with Rikeya Horne and Leianne Tufuga returning. Shianne McGlone returns to the second row, while Ebony Prior comes from the bench at hooker with Salma Nour out with a PCL injury. Chelsea Savill comes onto the bench for her NRLW debut with Tess Staines into the reserves. Sophie Curtain is out with a hand injury.
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 3 Leianne Tufuga
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine PetersCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Rikeya Horne
-
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 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra DibbHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Losana Lutu
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha HardenProp 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 10 Essay BanuProp 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 14 Jetaya FaifuaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Shaianne McGlone
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lillian YarrowInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara Reinke
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sareka MookaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Natasha Penitani
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Harata ButlerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Chelsea Savill
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Krystal BlackwellReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Evie McGrath
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Ebony Raftstrand-SmithReserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Claudia Nielsen
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Shellie LongReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Jessica Kennedy
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 23 China PolataReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tess Staines
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 24 Libby SurhaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Iemaima Etuale
Cowboys Ins
- Ebony Raftstrand-Smith
- Essay Banu
- Libby Surha
- Lillian Yarrow
- Shellie Long
Wests Tigers Ins
- Chelsea Savill
- Claudia Nielsen
- Evie McGrath
- Iemaima Etuale
- Leianne Tufuga
- Rikeya Horne
Cowboys Outs
- Lily Peacock
Wests Tigers Ins
- Salma Nour
- Sophie Curtain
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.
