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The Tigers and Cowboys are both out to snap two-match losing streaks when they clash on Saturday.

Perhaps the Tigers are entitled to be a touch more confident leading into the game, with coach Michael Maguire praising his team's first-half performance against heavyweights Canberra last round.

The injury-hit North Queensland, however, were upset by the Warriors, leaking 37 points including several tries on the last tackle.

The Rundown

Team News

Wests Tigers: The Tigers are 1-17 with veterans Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence omitted an hour before kick-off. Second-rower Luciano Leilua is set to start despite suffering an ankle ligament strain last week. Robert Jennings returns on the wing for Tommy Talau (hamstring), Luke Garner replaces Chris Lawrence in the second row, and Matt Eisenhuth and Sam McIntyre replace Alex Seyfarth and the suspended Russell Packer on the interchange.

Billy Walters and Reece Hoffman were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. The Tigers have won five of their past six games against the Cowboys.

Cowboys: Star duo Valentine Holmes (ankle) and Jordan McLean (calf) are out injured and Tom Gilbert is suspended. Rookie Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow starts at fullback, Connelly Lemuelu is into the side on the wing, Francis Molo starts at prop, and Ben Hampton, Corey Jensen and Peter Hola join the interchange with Reuben Cotter dropping off the bench. Tom Opacic and Emry Pere were omitted 24 hours before kick-off and Shane Wright and Cotter dropped out of the squad on game day.

Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored five tries in his past four games against Wests Tigers.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam Doueihi
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Hamiso  Tabuai-Fidow
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph Leilua
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Justin O'Neill
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses Mbye
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Esan Marsters
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Robert Jennings
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Connelly Lemuelu
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Josh Reynolds
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott  Drinkwater
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh Aloiai
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Harry Grant
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane Musgrove
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Josh McGuire
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Mitchell Dunn
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Matthew Eisenhuth
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Ben Hampton
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Corey Jensen
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sam McIntyre
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Peter Hola
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Gavin Cooper

Match Officials

  • Referee: Henry Perenara
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Key Match-Up

With a host of big names out, a lot of responsibility falls to young Cowboys halves Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford, who have shown plenty of promise but need a touch more polish. On the other side, Luke Brooks must take charge for the Tigers if they're to win.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.