The big winners from Round 1 after a dominant performance against the Dolphins, North Queensland are back at home to face a Knights side hurting from a first-up defeat to the Raiders.
Under the guidance of former premiership-winning half James Maloney, who has taken on the role of club attack coach, the Cowboys played an expansive brand that included scoring four times after running it on last tackle against the 'Phins in a 43-18 win.
Newcastle on the other hand fell to a disappointing 28-12 defeat in front of a sold-out crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium, with a bad collapse in the final 20 minutes seeing them leak three tries.
After being ruled out at half-time last week with a quad injury Enari Tuala misses the game and Thomas Jenkins earn his first appearance for the Knights after signing from the Panthers over the off-season.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Cowboys v Knights
Team News
Cowboys: The home side remain 1-17 on game day with coach Todd Payten having the luxury of naming the same side who led an impressive win over the Dolphins to launch the season. Tom Mikaele is 18th man.
Knights: No late changes for the Knights on game day. Former Panther Tom Jenkins plays his first game for the Knights in place of Enari Tuala (quad). Englishman Kai Pearce-Paul has been promoted to the starting side after a strong showing off the bench in Round 1. Brodie Jones is 18th-man while co-captain Jayden Brailey (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Knights is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
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Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine HolmesCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac LaybuttCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin NeameInterchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu FinefeuiakiInterchange for Knights is number 17 Jed Cartwright
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Thomas MikaeleReplacement for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have not opened with consecutive wins since 2017.
- The Knights have not won in Townsville since 2015.
- Cowboys centre Valentine Homes requires 12 points for 1,000 NRL points.
- The Knights have failed to score more than 20 points in their past 11 games in Townsville.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt requires one try to equal Matt Bowen’s club try scoring record.
Match: Cowboys v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Cowboys
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
13th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .
