The Queensland Derby is sure to be the biggest game of the round with the Cowboys looking to christen their new home with a victory over arch-rivals the Broncos.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS BRISBANE BRONCOS – FRIDAY 13 MARCH, 8:05PM, QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM
Both teams are looking for improvement after underwhelming 2019 seasons – the Cowboys came 14th while the Broncos limped into the finals and were then demolished 58-0 by the Eels.
Since that demolition, they have lost Matt Gillett to retirement, Jack Bird to a ruptured ACL and added Brodie Croft.
The Cowboys also enjoyed a busy break adding Valentine Holmes and Esan Marsters to the squad.
Holmes’ presence in the backline has already vaulted North Queensland into top four talks, but the Cowboys will need to prove themselves on the field first.
Throw into the mix that North Queensland are unveiling their new Queensland Country Bank Stadium and this match has all the ingredients for a round one thriller.
Team news:
Cowboys: Valentine Holmes will make his highly anticipated Cowboys debut, meaning a shift to five-eighth for playmaker Scott Drinkwater, who missed the final trial with a pec complaint but has been named to start. The other halves contender, Jake Clifford, has been pushed back to the extended bench. Ex-Tiger Esan Marsters makes his first Cowboys appearance in the centres. Josh McGuire has a knee injury but couldn’t have played anyway because of a suspension from last season.
Broncos: Fullback Jack Bird tore his ACL at training on Wednesday and will miss the season opener. His place is expected to be taken by Jamayne Isaako. New skipper Alex Glenn has failed to overcome his hamstring injury leaving young back-rower Patrick Carrigan and playmaker Brodie Croft to co-captain the side. Corey Oates completed a successful comeback from infection to take his place in the season opener. New recruit Jesse Arthars gets a start on the wing while Jamil Hopoate will make his NRL debut off the bench after impressive form with Redcliffe during the past two seasons.
Betting Insights:
- North Queensland has won each of its last four Round 1 matches.
- Brisbane has failed to cover the line in each of its last four matches.
- Eight of North Queensland’s last nine Round 1 matches have gone UNDER the total match points line.
- Kotoni Staggs has scored at least one try in six of Brisbane’s last eight night matches.
- Corey Oates has scored at least one try in three of Brisbane’s last four Round 1 matches.
- Michael Morgan has scored at least one try in five of his last seven Friday night appearances against Brisbane.
