Round 20
Wests Tigers 54 d. North Queensland Cowboys 10

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Wests Tigers maul hapless Cowboys
Mon July 30, 2007
The North Queensland Cowboys are teetering on the edge of the top eight after they were handed a 58-10 rugby league lesson by the impressive Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Monday evening.

The Cowboy's defensive frailties were again under the microscope with 59 missed tackles, as the Tigers produced a sample of the scintillating form that crowned them premiers in 2005.

Buoyed by the return of captain Brett Hodgson and pivot Benji Marshall, the Tigers ran in 10 tries to regain their spot in the top half of the table.

The Tigers looked in control early as they drew first blood in the seventh minute when Taniela Tuiaki bustled his way over the line.

The burly utility was again in the action, this time at the other end of the field, dropping off Cowboys back-rower Justin Smith who crashed over to bring his side even eight minutes later.

But it was all the Tigers after that, with tries from John Morris and Brett Hodgson before half time stretching the lead to 16-8.

The second half was a points procession as Tigers hooker Robbie Farah lead a relentless onslaught which saw Chris Heighington and Daniel Fitzhenry take advantage of some mediocre Cowboy's goal line defence shortly after the break.

The Cowboys looked to regain some composure after a nifty slight of hand by David Faiumu sent Matthew Bartlett over in the 54th minute.

The try only served as a brief hiatus to the carnage as tries to Bronson Harrison (2), Ben Galea, Robbie Farah and Dene Halatau came on the back of some fantastic free flowing football and damaging line breaks from young star Ben Te'o.

On top of humiliating third loss in a row, Cowboys hard men Paul Bowman and Sione Faumuina were put on report as well as captain Jonathan Thurston being replaced with 15 minutes still to play.

The Queensland half back struggled to put his stamp on the match against an aggressive and quick Tigers defence, and clutched at his suspect left shoulder only minutes before leaving the field.

Tigers skipper Brett Hodgson also had an early night with a corked knee in his 200th first grade appearance.

Wests Tigers 54 (B Harrison 2, D Fitzhenry, B Galea, T Tuiaki, J Morris, B Hodgson, C Heighington, R Farah, D Halatau tries; B Marshall 4, B Hodgson 2, R Farah conversions)
Best: R Farah, B Te'o, L Fulton

North Queensland Cowboys 10 (J Smith, M Bartlett tries; J Thurston conversion)
Best: D Faiumu, C Webb, J Smith


Marshall and Hodgson back for Wests Tigers
Tue July 24, 2007
Wests Tigers received a massive double boost today with star duo Brett Hodgson and Benji Marshall named in the Tigers side to play the Johnathan Thurston led Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on Monday night.

Hodgson and Marshall have both been out injured for a considerable amount of time and their returns couldn't have come at a better time with the Tigers grimly holding onto 8th position on the ladder with their season looking shaky.


Rookie Shannon Gallant makes way at fullback for Hodgson in what will be his 200th first grade game, which includes appearances for Wests Magpies and Parramatta during his outstanding career where he has also represented New South Wales on six occasions. Hodgson will also resume the captaincy with Todd Payten in charge during his absence.

Marshall has been named at halfback after being on the sidelines due to continual problems with a shoulder injury that has plagued one of the NRL's genuine superstars since he spearheaded the Wests Tigers to a Premiership in 2005. Marshall's return allows Robbie Farah return to his more natural dummy half position and Dene Halatau drops back to the bench with Stuart Flanagan dropped to Premier League.

Prop Bryce Gibbs also returns from a knee injury and has been named in the starting side with Payten out of action for two weeks with an ankle injury.

The battle between Marshall and Thurston at halfback should be one of the most mouth watering battles this season. Marshall before his injury problems absolutely owned the 2005 Finals series and Thurston is now the undisputed player in the world.

Wests Tigers v North Queensland Cowboys
Leichhardt Oval
Monday 30th July
7:00pm

1 Brett Hodgson (c)
2 Daniel Fitzhenry
3 Dean Collis
4 Paul Whatuira
5 Chris Lawrence
6 John Morris
7 Benji Marshall
8 Keith Galloway
9 Robbie Farah
10 Bryce Gibbs
11 Taniela Tuiaki
12 Chris Heighington
13 Liam Fulton

Subs:
14 Ben Galea
15 Dene Halatau
16 Bronson Harrison
17 Ben Te'o

Casualty Ward
Danny Galea - hamstring (rd 25)
Todd Payten - ankle (rd 22)
Shannon McDonnell - knee (season).

Tue July 24, 2007
• Brenton Bowen returns for Cowboys
  

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