The Cowboys started well in last week's road meeting with the Bulldogs and were in control for most of the first half before being out-played over the final 50 minutes.
Coach Paul Green reacted by saying his team's low standing on the NRL ladder would cost players Origin jerseys and it's hard to disagree.
The Cowboys have a strong forward pack but question marks remain over the entire backline, barring Michael Morgan.
The Titans were well on the way to a third straight win when they raced to a 14-0 lead over the Tigers last week before falling asleep and being overrun 30-14, failing to score a point after Michael Gordon's 19th-minute penalty goal.
Match: Cowboys v Titans
Round 8 -
home Team
Cowboys
11th Position
away Team
Titans
14th Position
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
The Rundown
Team news
Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo will return from the knee injury he suffered in round two and start the match. After being named at five-eighth on Tuesday, Jake Clifford has been left out, with John Asiata moving into five-eighth. Clifford and Mitchell Dunn were the two players left out an hour before game time. Corey Jensen and Gideon Gela-Mosby were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. The Cowboys have won their past seven games against the Titans.
Titans: The Titans will start 1-17 after Jai Whitbread and Jack Stockwell were left out an hour before kick-off. AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika and Keegan Hipgrave have all been passed fit to play the Cowboys. Brian Kelly (nose) and Jai Arrow (knee) copped blows at training but will play. Will Matthews and Jesse Arthars dropped off the extended bench on Thursday evening. Titans winger Anthony Don has scored a try in his past five games.
Match: Cowboys v Titans
Round 8 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Jordan KahuFullback for Titans is number 1 Michael Gordon
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Justin O'NeillWinger for Titans is number 2 Anthony Don
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Tom OpacicCentre for Titans is number 3 Tyrone Peachey
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Enari TualaCentre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Ben HamptonWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 13 John AsiataFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tyrone Roberts
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Michael MorganHalfback for Titans is number 7 Ashley Taylor
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Matthew ScottProp for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake GranvilleHooker for Titans is number 9 Mitch Rein
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLeanProp for Titans is number 10 Shannon Boyd
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Josh McGuire2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 20 Jason TaumaloloLock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Kurt BaptisteInterchange for Titans is number 14 Alexander Brimson
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Coen HessInterchange for Titans is number 15 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Scott BoltonInterchange for Titans is number 16 Keegan Hipgrave
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis MoloInterchange for Titans is number 17 Max King
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Referee: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Morgan should have an edge in his duel with Tyrone Roberts but it certainly won't guarantee a win. Roberts has more help around him in the backs than Morgan and needs to spread the ball quickly to the likes of Brian Kelly, Tyrone Peachey and Anthony Don. Morgan will be counting on rookie Jake Clifford to share some of the load.
For the Cowboys to win
As mentioned the backs have to step up and take greater responsibility or the Cowboys' season will soon be kaput. Morgan can't do it by himself, while the forwards also have to live up to their reputation as one of the toughest packs around. The Cowboys need to make more line breaks than the solitary break they made against the Bulldogs.
For the Titans to win
They have to put last week's collapse in the rear view mirror and set an aggressive tone in the opening 10 minutes on Friday. Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts need to spearhead the offence, while the Titans must work hard as a team to improve their standing as one of the competition's worst defensive teams.
Brett Kimmorley says
What is going on the with the Cowboys? Paul Green made a comment last week saying his players were playing their way out of Origin contention. I think the coach needs to coach them back into Origin form. To me that doesn’t look like a “we’re all in this together” attitude. The Titans led so well last week and then got blown off the park. Can the Titans bounce back? Titans by 6
Stat Attack
The Cowboys completed at a very tidy 82% in the 24-12 loss to the Dogs. The only problem was the Doggies completed 86%. Josh McGuire made 70 post contact metres to take his tally to 452 for the season - tops in the NRL. Morgan has kicked an NRL-leading three 40/20 kicks.
And another thing ...
Good as he is, Michael Morgan was facing the prospect of being named on the bench for the Maroons in this year's Origin series. Cameron Munster appears locked in for the No.6 jersey and Daly Cherry-Evans was the popular pick for the halfback and captaincy role. But with DCE racing the clock after injuring his ankle, Morgan now seems certain to start alongside Munster in the halves for game one on June 5 at Suncorp Stadium.
