Warriors have won four of their last five meetings with the Cowboys. Photo: PHOTOSPORT NZ
Warriors v Cowboys
7.30pm Saturday, 3 May
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Magic Round
One of the NRL's many showpiece events throughout the season, Magic Round gathers every team (except Manly Sea Eagles with the bye) in Brisbane for eight games at Suncorp Stadium.
One round, one ground… Aussies love a rhyme!
For the Warriors, this fixture counts as a home game, so one less for their Go Media Stadium base.
This will be the sixth year for this promotion. Last year, an understrength Warriors line-up shocked defending premiers Penrith Panthers 22-20 in Brisbane, with Taine Tuaupiki scoring a late try, then kicking what proved to be the winning conversion.
Their only other Magic Round win came in 2019, when headed St George Dragons 26-18, also at Suncorp.
History
The Warriors enjoy winning records against only four teams currently contesting the NRL - North Queensland (26-22) are one of them.
Their advantage is even more pronounced at home (18-7), although this will be their fourth meeting at a neutral venue, with the Warriors winning the previous three at Central Coast (twice) and Redcliffe during their Covid exile.
They have won four of the last five meetings, with the exception coming during their horror 2022 campaign, when they succumbed 48-4 in Townsville.
Last year, the Warriors prevailed 42-12 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with centre Rocco Berry and fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scoring two tries each, and centre Adam Pompey kicking 7/8 from the tee.
Perhaps the only stat running against the Warriors is the fact they've lost six of their last seven appearances at Suncorp Stadium - that Penrith upset was the exception.
Form
Winners of their last four games, North Queensland and Canberra Raiders are currently the hottest teams in the competition, with the Cowboys turning around an 0-3 start to sit two spots behind the Warriors in sixth on the table.
After a bye in Round 7, they punished Gold Coast Titans 50-18 in Townsville last week, with winger Robert Derby scoring a try hattrick and Auckland-born second-rower Jeremiah Nanai bagging two.
Meanwhile, the Warriors cruised home 26-12 over Newcastle Knights in Christchurch, as interchange forward Jackson Ford celebrated his 50th outing for the club with a try double, along with winger Pompey.
Jackson Ford scored a try against Newcastle. Photo: www.photosport.nz
After a disappointing display against Melbourne Storm three weeks ago, they have bounced back with a pair of wins and a win this weekend would see them equal their best-ever start to an NRL season after eight games, matching their 2018 effort, when they opened with five straight victories.
Teams
Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Taine Tuaupiki, 3 Rocco Berry, 5 Adam Pompey, 23 Ed Kosi, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 Marata Niukore, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitch Barnett, 11 Kurt Capewell, 12 Leka Halasima, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jackson Ford, 16 Demitric Vaimagua, 17 Bunty Afoa
Reserves: 18 Tanner Stowers-Smith, 20 Sam Healey
When he named his side this week, Coach Andrew Webster stuck with the same reshuffled line-up that took the field against Newcastle Knights. In a late switcheroo, Jackson Ford was dropped to the bench, Marata Niukore moved to the front row and Leka Halasima was promoted to start in the second row.
That's how they line up this week.
The only change came on the interchange, where Jacob Laban is under concussion protocols, replaced by half Te Maire Martin.
Unfortunately, Webster subsequently lost the services of centre Ali Leiataua to an ankle injury in training, so Pompey has moved back to centre, with Ed Kosi brought onto the wing.
Cowboys: 1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Robert Derby, 3 Jaxon Purdue, 4 Viliami Vailea, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Tom Dearden, 7 Jake Clifford, 8 Jordan McLean, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Jason Taumalolo, 11 John Bateman, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange: 14 Sam McIntyre, 15 Harrison Edwards, 16 Griffin Neame, 17 Coen Hess
Reserves: 18 Zac Laybutt, 21 Kaiden Lahrs
Former Warriors assistant Todd Payten has stuck with the same line-up that overran Gold Coast last week.
Player to watch
After a slowish start to the season, Cowboys captain and halfback Tom Dearden is hitting top form, taking maximum Dally M Medal points against Gold Coast and now lurking just eight points behind Cronulla Sharks fullback and leader Will Kennedy on the standings.
He enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, starting for Queensland in all three Origin games and debuting for Australia, named Player of the Match in their Pacific Championship final win over Tonga.
Kiwi to watch
Now in his fifth season with the Cowboys, rugged West Coast forward Griffin Neame has carved a niche for himself on their bench, bringing up 76 games in the process.
Griffin Neame in action for the Kiwis. Photo: www.photosport.nz
He made his NZ Kiwis debut during the triumphant 2023 Pacific Championship campaign and stands to become a consistent selection into the future.
What will happen
With momentum behind them, the Cowboys enter this contest as favourites, despite their lower ranking on the table.
The Warriors are coming off their best performance of the season, but believe they are still well short of their potential - they may need to find that level, if they are to spring an upset.
Cowboys in a thriller.
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