NRL Round 18 Preview and Tips – Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys

THE LONG HARD LOOK WITH MIKE WILSON

Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys
Ausgrid Stadium, 7.00pm

Knights $1.25, Cowboys $4.00

Knights: Wes Naiqama, James McManus, Tafeaga Junior Sa’u, Adam MacDougall, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, Lisiate Richie Fa’aoso, Matt Hilder, Evarn Tuimavave, Chris Houston, Joel Edwards, Steve Southern.  Interchange (from): Ryan Sitg, Antonio Kaufusi, Cameron Ciraldo, Dan Tolar, Mark Taufua, Tyrone Roberts.

Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Will Tupou, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, TBC, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson.  Interchange (from): James Segeyaro, Joel Riethmuller, Ashton Sims, Leeson Ah Mau, Cory Paterson

(Johnathan Thurston suffered a knee injury in State of Origin and will not play.)

The obvious talking point of this game is that Johnathan Thurston, arguably the world’s best player, will not be playing after he suffered a knee injury in State of Origin that looks like it will keep him out for at least 5 or 6 weeks. As a result the Cowboys odds blew out massively and the way they have been playing without Thurston, and away from home, this looks like it could be a foregone conclusion. But on the flipside there is no real value here and in the betting department I’ll be steering clear.

Mike’s Best Bet: None

Starting Bank: $2000, Current Bank $2541.42

(Team lists sourced from nrl.com.au)