Round 13
North Queensland Cowboys 46 d. South Sydney Rabbitohs 12

2009 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Preview: Cowboys v Rabbitohs - NRL Round 13
Sat June 6, 2009
The game's elite players view a short turnaround after playing State of Origin as an opportunity to challenge themselves.

And that's why Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston is unlikely to go into his shell this Saturday night. Thurston has struck a rich vein of form over the past month, scoring eight tries and 25 goals (82 points) from his last five games. He was shaded for man of the match honours in the Test against New Zealand by Justin Hodges but since has carried off maximum Dally M points in his last three games for the Cowboys and was named man of the match in the Origin opener in Melbourne.

Cowboys officials were sweating on his every move in the Origin match, fearful that injury would cost them the services of their most valuable player.

The Cowboys will start decisive favourites against the Rabbitohs, despite Souths winning the last four games between the clubs. The Red and Greens have struggled for form in recent weeks, held to a 16-all draw by Parramatta and then succumbing to a resurgent Canberra outfit last Monday night.

No team this season, including the Cowboys, has managed to back up from Monday Night Football to win in Townsville the following week.

Look to a Cowboys try as First Scoring Play and a North Queensland win by 1-12 points.

Best hopes for First Tryscorer include Matt Bowen, John Williams and Willie Tonga for the Cowboys or Nathan Merritt, Beau Champion or Fetuli Talanoa for the Rabbitohs.

Saturday June 6, 2009
North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Kirwan, Townsville (QLD)

North Queensland Cowboys
1 Matt Bowen, 2 Ben Farrar, 3 Ashley Graham, 4 Willie Tonga, 5 John Williams, 6 Travis Burns, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Shane Tronc, 9 Aaron Payne, 10 Matthew Scott, 11 Carl Webb, 12 Scott Bolton, 13 Luke O'Donnell. Subs: 14 Anthony Watts, 15 Steve Southern, 16 Antonio Kaufusi, 17 James Tamou, 18 Steve Rapira, 19 Grant Rovelli, 20 Ty Williams.

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1 Luke Capewell, 2 Nathan Merritt, 3 Colin Best, 4 Beau Champion, 5 Fetuli Talanoa, 6 John Sutton, 7 Chris Sandow, 8 Luke Stuart, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Roy Asotasi (c), 11 Michael Crocker, 12 David Fa'alogo, 13 Craig Wing. Subs: 14 Eddy Pettybourne, 15 David Kidwell, 16 Shannan McPherson, 17 Scott Geddes, 18 Jaiman Lowe, 19 Beau Falloon.

Date: Sat June 6 2009, 7:30PM AEST GMT+10 [Sat June 6 2009, 9:30AM GMT]
Referees: Shayne Hayne, Gerard Sutton

Predictions:
Dennis Righetti: Cowboys by 1
Matthew O'Neill: Cowboys by 12
Paul Booth: Cowboys by 16

OVERALL:
Total Games: 18
North Queensland Cowboys wins: 8. [Pts: 439]
South Sydney Rabbitohs wins: 9. [Pts: 355]
Draws: 1

Biggest wins:
North Queensland Cowboys: 52 pts: 2003 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 24 - [View] Sat Aug 23: Cowboys 60 d. Souths 8 [Crowd: 13872]
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 14 pts: 1995 Australian Rugby League - Round 16 - [View] Sat Jul 15: Souths 30 d. Cowboys 16 [Crowd: 4225]

Biggest Crowd: 1996 Optus Cup - Round 16 - [View] Sat Jul 20: Cowboys 20 l. Souths 22 [Crowd: 27096]

Last 50 games against each other form line (most recent matches at end of line):
North Queensland Cowboys: LLLLWWWWDWLWWWLLLL
South Sydney Rabbitohs: WWWWLLLLDLWLLLWWWW

Last 10 games:
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 16 - [View] Sat: North Queensland Cowboys 28 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 29 [Crowd: 15631]
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 8 - [View] Sun: South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 d. North Queensland Cowboys 24 [Crowd: 9818]
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 19 - [View] Sun: South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 d. North Queensland Cowboys 14 [Crowd: 10022]
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 6 - [View] Mon: North Queensland Cowboys 6 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 [Crowd: 17678]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 25 - [View] Sun: Rabbitohs 12 l. Cowboys 34 [Crowd: 8914]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 17 - [View] Sat: Cowboys 16 d. Rabbitohs 14 [Crowd: 17506]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 25 - [View] Sun: Souths 16 l. Cowboys 30 [Crowd: 13079]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 19 - [View] Sat: Cowboys 14 l. Souths 16 [Crowd: 17038]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 23 - [View] Sat Aug 14: Cowboys 36 d. Souths 22 [Crowd: 16007]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 10 - [View] Sat May 15: Souths 20 drew Cowboys 20 [Crowd: 10138]

Audio: Neil Henry
Audio: Travis Burns

NRL: Cowboys v Rabbitohs Scores & Stats
NYC: Cowboys v Rabbitohs Scores & Stats
Cowboys v Rabbitohs Thread
TAB Sportsbet
RleagueBetting.com


Henry and Burns preview Cowboys v Souths clash
Fri June 5, 2009
North Queensland Coach Neil Henry held a media conference today where he spoke about Queensland's Origin win, Ty Williams returning to first grade, Michael Bani joining the Cowboys and Saturday's big game against South Sydney.

Bani has joined the Cowboys in a swap deal with Ben Farrar with Manly. Farrar will link up with the Sea Eagles after this weekend where it's expected that he'll fill the fullback position vacated by the long-term injury to Brett Stewart.

Travis Burns also held a press conference and he talks about his injury injury and what he expects from Saturday's clash against Souths.

Johnathan Thurston and Luke O'Donnell will be required to back up after Origin I if they come through the game injury-free. Matthew Scott is the Maroons' 18th man and will want to continue his recent good form to press claims for a spot in the Queensland 17 for State of Origin II. Travis Burns looks good to play after recovering from a knee injury sustained in the Cowboys' last win at home against Newcastle, but the home side has Grant Rovelli in reserve if Burns is unable to take the field.

Souths are backing up after a poor game against the Raiders on Monday and are also expecting Craig Wing and Michael Croker to return to the side after Origin duty. Croker appears to have the Midas touch as he is yet to taste defeat in a Souths jumper. Rabbitohs young guns Chris Sandow and Issac Luke will test the Cowboys defence and create space for their speed men, Nathan Merritt and Colin Best.

This game has a number of 'X' factors:
Can Souths back up from Monday night?
Will Origin duties affect both sides?
Can the Cowboys maintain their momentum after winning their last three games?

Audio: Neil Henry
Audio: Travis Burns

Saturday June 6, 2009
North Queensland Cowboys vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Kirwan, Townsville (QLD)

North Queensland Cowboys
1 Matt Bowen, 2 Ben Farrar, 3 Ashley Graham, 4 Willie Tonga, 5 John Williams, 6 Travis Burns, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Shane Tronc, 9 Aaron Payne, 10 Matthew Scott, 11 Carl Webb, 12 Scott Bolton, 13 Luke O'Donnell. Subs: 14 Anthony Watts, 15 Steve Southern, 16 Antonio Kaufusi, 17 James Tamou, 18 Steve Rapira, 19 Grant Rovelli, 20 Ty Williams.

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1 Luke Capewell, 2 Nathan Merritt, 3 Colin Best, 4 Beau Champion, 5 Fetuli Talanoa, 6 John Sutton, 7 Chris Sandow, 8 Luke Stuart, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Roy Asotasi (c), 11 Michael Crocker, 12 David Fa'alogo, 13 Craig Wing. Subs: 14 Eddy Pettybourne, 15 David Kidwell, 16 Shannan McPherson, 17 Scott Geddes, 18 Jaiman Lowe, 19 Beau Falloon.

Date: Sat June 6 2009, 7:30PM AEST GMT+10 [Sat June 6 2009, 9:30AM GMT]
Referees: Shayne Hayne, Gerard Sutton

Predictions:
Dennis Righetti: Cowboys by 1
Matthew O'Neill: Cowboys by 12
Paul Booth: Cowboys by 16

OVERALL:
Total Games: 18
North Queensland Cowboys wins: 8. [Pts: 439]
South Sydney Rabbitohs wins: 9. [Pts: 355]
Draws: 1

Biggest wins:
North Queensland Cowboys: 52 pts: 2003 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 24 - [View] Sat Aug 23: Cowboys 60 d. Souths 8 [Crowd: 13872]
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 14 pts: 1995 Australian Rugby League - Round 16 - [View] Sat Jul 15: Souths 30 d. Cowboys 16 [Crowd: 4225]

Biggest Crowd: 1996 Optus Cup - Round 16 - [View] Sat Jul 20: Cowboys 20 l. Souths 22 [Crowd: 27096]

Last 50 games against each other form line (most recent matches at end of line):
North Queensland Cowboys: LLLLWWWWDWLWWWLLLL
South Sydney Rabbitohs: WWWWLLLLDLWLLLWWWW

Last 10 games:
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 16 - [View] Sat: North Queensland Cowboys 28 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 29 [Crowd: 15631]
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 8 - [View] Sun: South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 d. North Queensland Cowboys 24 [Crowd: 9818]
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 19 - [View] Sun: South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 d. North Queensland Cowboys 14 [Crowd: 10022]
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 6 - [View] Mon: North Queensland Cowboys 6 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 [Crowd: 17678]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 25 - [View] Sun: Rabbitohs 12 l. Cowboys 34 [Crowd: 8914]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 17 - [View] Sat: Cowboys 16 d. Rabbitohs 14 [Crowd: 17506]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 25 - [View] Sun: Souths 16 l. Cowboys 30 [Crowd: 13079]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 19 - [View] Sat: Cowboys 14 l. Souths 16 [Crowd: 17038]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 23 - [View] Sat Aug 14: Cowboys 36 d. Souths 22 [Crowd: 16007]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 10 - [View] Sat May 15: Souths 20 drew Cowboys 20 [Crowd: 10138]

Audio: Neil Henry
Audio: Travis Burns

NRL: Cowboys v Rabbitohs Scores & Stats
NYC: Cowboys v Rabbitohs Scores & Stats
Cowboys v Rabbitohs Thread
RleagueBetting.com

Audio and Comments thanks to www.cowboys.com.au

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