A post-Origin slump and injuries to key players have left the North Queensland Cowboys in a precarious position ahead of their clash with the Warriors in New Zealand.
The Cowboys enter Saturday evening’s match knowing a win could see them secure fourth position but a loss could see them slip to the sudden-death seventh place come the end of the round.
While it was not pretty, North Queensland did secure a 28-20 win over Cronulla last week but poor form the month prior has left them in a dog fight with four teams for the highest positions on the ladder.
Currently the Cowboys are level on competition points with Wests Tigers, but have a 17 point for-and-against difference to make up.
The Dragons sit just one point behind the Cowboys while the Warriors, with a 35 point superior differential, will leap frog the Townsville club with a win Saturday night.
A seventh place finish will bring a sudden death away match with either Manly or Brisbane in the first week of the Finals.
Coach Neil Henry has recalled Ashton Sims and Cory Paterson to a five man bench for the trip.
They will cover the loss of rookie of the year contender Tariq Sims who had his season ended with a broken leg last week.
His brother Ashton returns after resting a knee injury while Paterson was omitted from the Sharks match.
Dallas Johnson is being monitored after suffering a nasty concussion last week.
Saturday’s crucial match will be live on Fox Sports from 5:30pm.
Titans’ spoon battle
The Gold Coast Titans host Parramatta on Saturday night where the loser will carry the 2011 wooden spoon mantle.
In what has been a horror season for the Titans they will at least have a chance at Skilled Park to shed that unwanted tag while also farewelling a number of foundation players.
Preston Campbell, the Titans initial signing, will retire from the NRL following the match while forward Anthony Laffranchi will continue his career in England.
Fans will also get the chance to farewell injured duo Nathan Friend, who is joining the Warriors, and popular forward Brad Meyers who retired during the season because of injury.
It has been a wretched year for the Gold Coast with injuries and poor form dominating their season.
However a host of new signings and young talent will bring a fresh squad into the 2012 season and the Titans will look to enter that on the back of a victory over Parramatta.
The side is unchanged from the one beaten 10-39 by Wests Tigers last night.
Saturday’s match will be available live on Fox Sports from 7:30pm.
Brisbane farewell Lockyer
Sunday’s match between the Broncos and Manly at Suncorp Stadium is sold out as the club officially farewells retiring superstar Darren Lockyer.
The club is planning a massive celebration for the NRL’s most experienced player and all 52,000 tickets have been sold well in advance.
While Brisbane is guaranteed a home final in Week One, they could also play two more Finals at Suncorp Stadium if they keep winning.
The most likely scenario is the Broncos will finish third and host the sixth placed team at 6:30pm on Saturday week.
However a big win over Manly will prop the Broncos up to second meaning they will host the seventh placed side and earn a second week bye with a victory.
The Broncos and Sea Eagles have 85 points differential separating them; meaning Brisbane would need to win by 43 points to overtake Manly.
On face value that scenario looks highly unlikely however the Sea Eagles will be without several key players due to injury and suspension following last week’s ugly brawl against the Storm.
The Broncos only have Justin Hodges absent for the match but the star centre is anticipating a Week One Finals comeback from a hamstring injury.
Coach Anthony Griffin has kept the same side that disposed of South Sydney 22-10 last weekend.
Sunday’s match has a special 4pm kick-off and will be broadcast live on Channel Nine.
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Warriors, Saturday 5:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Scott Bolton, Jason Taumalolo, Ashton Sims, Cory Paterson (one to be omitted).
Gold Coast Titans vs. Eels, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Jordan Rankin, Steve Michaels, Esi Tonga, Clinton Toopi, David Mead, William Zillman, Preston Campbell (c), Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird. Interchange: Brenton Lawrence, Will Matthews, Bodene Thompson, Luke O’Dwyer.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Sea Eagles, Sunday 4pm, (Channel Nine, live)
Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Ben Te’o, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Matt Gillett, Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, David Hala.
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