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Broncos v Cowboys: Rested Robinson returns; Banu eyes big impact

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ljmpta.com
Timestamp

The Cowboys are desperate to secure a home semi-final when they travel south to take on fierce rivals Brisbane in a final-round showdown at Totally Workwear Stadium.

North Queensland have never beaten the Broncos, with Saturday’s clash to be the third time the intrastate rivals have faced off.

The Cowboys currently sit third on the ladder but are just two points clear of the Sharks and Knights. All three teams are separated by just nine for and against points.

North Queensland have shown they can score plenty of points and claimed a 42-14 win over the Dragons last weekend.

Brisbane kept the momentum rolling with a 26-6 win over the Warriors in front of a record crowd in Hamilton.

The victory locked up second place and a week off in the opening round of the finals.

While their ladder position is secure, the Broncos are determined to maintain their unbeaten record against the Cowboys and set the platform for a deep finals run.

Team News

Broncos: Julia Robinson will return to the side after being rested for last week's win over the Warriors. Shenae Ciesiolka will shift to the wing, with Hayley Maddick moving to the interchange. Tara McGrath-West was pushing to complete her comeback from a foot injury, but has been cut from extended squad when it was trimmed to 19 a day out from the game, with Tafito Lafaele and Skyla Adams remaining. 

Cowboys: Jakiya Whitfeld's return from a shoulder injury has been put on ice for another week, with the Cowboys taking a cautious approach with the star outside back. North Queensland need a win to secure a home final in the opening week of the post-season. Essay Banu has been named on the bench, but could be promoted to the starting side on gameday, as was the case last week. No changes to the 1-19 a day out from the game. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Krystal Blackwell
  • Winger for Broncos is number 2 Kerri Johnson
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Ebony  Raftstrand-Smith 
  • Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
  • Centre for Broncos is number 4 Julia Robinson
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
  • Winger for Broncos is number 5 Shenae Ciesiolka
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Francesca Goldthorp
  • Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Kirra Dibb
  • Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly

Forwards

  • Prop for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Lillian Yarrow
  • Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada Ferguson
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma  Manzelmann
  • Prop for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Lauren Dam
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
  • 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 17 Essay Banu
  • Lock for Broncos is number 13 Keilee Joseph
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Interchange

  • Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Shalom Sauaso
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 12 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell 
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Azalleyah Maaka
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily Peacock
  • Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Hayley Maddick
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

Reserves

  • Replacement for Broncos is number 19 Tafito Lafaele
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 China Polata

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Broncos have outscored the Cowboys 78-24 in their two clashes.
  • The Cowboys have won all four away games this season.
  • Broncos centre Mele Hufanga has scored six tries in two games against the Cowboys.
  • Cowboys five-eighth Kirra Dibb has kicked 12 goals from her last 13 attempts.
  • Broncos fullback Tamika Upton has scored 15 tries in her last nine games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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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.