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Cowboys v Wests Tigers: Big four set to play; Mason steps up
With two wins, two losses and a draw at home this season the Cowboys are out to make Queensland Country Bank Stadium a fortress in the back half of the year as they chase a third finals appearance in four years.
Todd Payten's men have seven more games on their home patch including back-to-back blockbusters against the Storm and Bulldogs in Round 18-19 but the charge needs to start this weekend against Wests Tigers.
A total of 148 points were scored in the two matches between the sides last season, with the Cowboys winning both, so another free-flowing contest is on the cards with Scott Drinkwater, Jaxon Purdue, Jahream Bula and Sunia Turuva matching motors.
Wests Tigers have looked a vastly improved side in 2025 with recruits Terrell May, Jarome Luai and Turuva bringing plenty to the table, but they are still giving up 25 points per game which won't cut it if they hope to be part of the finals action.
Match: Cowboys v Wests Tigers
Round 13 -
home Team
Cowboys
6th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: Maroons trio Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter and Blues hooker Reece Robson have all been named in the starting side and coach Todd Payten confirmed on Friday that they will all back up. Jaxson Paulo comes in for his first game as a Cowboy with Murray Taulagi (calf) sidelined. Sam McIntyre moves to prop and Coen Hess to the bench with Cotter coming in at lock after missing the loss to Manly due to suspension. Jake Clifford is 18th man.
Wests Tigers: The Tigers are 1-17 with no late changes. Samuela Fainu returns from a knee injury suffered in Round 11, before last week's bye. Young gun Heath Mason is set for his first NRL match since Round 1 after being named to replace Lachlan Galvin at five-eighth. Tristan Hope is the 18th man.
Match: Cowboys v Wests Tigers
Round 13 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert DerbyWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac LaybuttCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jaxon PurdueFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Heath Mason
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jarome Luai
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyreProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Royce Hunt
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Brent Naden
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Kai O'DonnellInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Jack Bird
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin NeameInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tony Sukkar
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Jake CliffordReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tristan Hope
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won five of their past six games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have lost their last three games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- Cowboys winger Robert Derby has scored six tries in four games at QCB Stadium.
- Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored four tries in four games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored seven tries in his last nine games against Wests Tigers.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
