Our Friday night double takes us first to Townsville and then down to Brisbane as Anzac Round continues and we honour the men and women who served their country with distinction.
First up it’s the Cowboys coming off a big loss to Manly and desperate to rebound against the Sharks, who gave up a big lead against the Roosters in Perth before having a bye in Round 7.
Then at a packed Suncorp Stadium it’s premiers Brisbane fresh off a courageous win over Wests Tigers and looking to make it five victories from their last six starts as they host the Bulldogs.
Cameron Ciraldo’s men were shock losers to arch-rivals Parramatta last Sunday and find themselves in 10th spot with a 3-3 record as they search for the kind of form that carried them all the way to week two of the finals last year.
Follow all the action from Round 8 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.
Cowboys v Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
4th minute: The Sharks have made a couple of unforced errors through the opening exchanges of this contest, handing the Cowboys early attacking opportunities. It didn’t take long for the hosts to capitalise, Scott Drinkwater slicing through the Cronulla defensive line to open the scoring. Cowboys 6 – Sharks 0.
Kick-off: We are underway at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with both sides looking to bounce back from last-start losses. Cronulla have an impressive recent record against the Cowboys but Todd Payten’s side welcomes back Reed Mahoney, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai for tonight’s clash. The Sharks also have a big name back on deck, with Cam McInnes playing his first game since tearing his ACL late last year. Cowboys 0 – Sharks 0.
Pre-game: The players have entered the field for a pre-game Anzac Ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices made by Defence Force personnel to defend our country.
Stat Attack
The Cowboys have defeated the Sharks only once in six clashes at QCB Stadium.
The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored six tries in his last eight games at QCB Stadium
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires six points to reach 800 points for the club.
The Cowboys have conceded 69 points in their last two games.
Late Mail
Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai will make his comeback from off-season shoulder surgery via the interchange after coach Todd Payten made a late switch on game day. Tom Mikaele will start in the back row, with Nanai shifting to the bench. Reed Mahoney and Murray Taulagi will also return from head knocks suffered a fortnight ago. Mahoney’s comeback sees Soni Luke shift to the interchange, while Taulagi replaces Zac Laybutt on the wing. Kai O’Donnell and Kaiden Lahrs dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Laybutt remains on the six-man bench as injury cover.
Sharks: Cam McInnes has been cleared for his first game since tearing his ACL in Round 24 last year. The inspirational skipper will come off the bench on Friday night. Sifa Talakai is also set for a new role and will shift to the centres as Craig Fitzgibbon shakes up his backline. Mawene Hiroti moves to the wing with Sione Katoa dropping out of the squad in Thursday’s 24-hour update along with Tuku Hau Tapuha. No further changes in Friday’s 90-minute team update.
Broncos v Bulldogs