NRL Round 5 Preview and Prediction - North Queensland Cowboys v South Sydney Rabbitohs @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

North Queensland Cowboys v South Sydney Rabbitohs @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
 
Preview - The Cowboys will be looking to make it 4 victories from 5 games to start 2017 when they host the Rabbitohs at 1300 Smiles Stadium in Townsville on Friday night. The Cowboys bounced back from their poor performance against Manly in Round 3 with a 32-26 victory in an entertaining game against the Titans on the Gold Coast. The Rabbitohs couldn't make it a hat trick of wins as they went down in convincing manner 20-6 against the Roosters at ANZ Stadium.

History - The Cowboys have won 3 of their last 4 clashes against the Rabbitohs, including thumping Souths twice last year. The Cowboys won 44-18 at 1300 Smiles Stadium and 20-0 at Barlow Park in Cairns. Overall the record is a lot more even, with the Cowboys winning 15 to the Rabbitohs 14, with 1 draw. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys Scouting Report - The Cowboys get back a couple of key players here with Lachlan Coote returning from injury and Jason Taumololo returning from suspension. Despite picking up 1 victory from 2 games in his absence, the Cowboys certainly missed his wrecking ball type runs, his motor and his quick play the balls. Whilst Kalyn Ponga showed flashes of his potential in the past couple of weeks, he has to be happy with a place on an extended bench with Coote fit to resume at fullback. 
 
South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Scouting Report - The Rabbitohs gets winger Braidon Burns back from suspension as they look to bounce back from a loss to the Roosters. Whilst the Rabbitohs competed for 80 minutes, they made far too many fundamental errors and will be looking to some of their senior players, like Robbie Farah and Adam Reynolds, to provide better finishes to their sets. Cody Walker has been outstanding this season at five eight, and I think has been by far and away the Rabbitohs’ best player this season.  
 
Verdict - Cowboys by 10-20

I can't see anything other than a Cowboys’ victory here. They only lost once at home in 2016, and they have already lost once here in 2017, so they will be desperate to make amends after their really poor showing against the Sea Eagles two weeks ago. The Rabbitohs, for me, are a team playing with plenty of energy and enthusiasm, however I think they are lacking forward power and will struggle to contain the Cowboys for 80 minutes. The Cowboys have their share of injuries, however the likes of Coen Hess, Ponga and Gideon Gela Mosby are starting to look really comfortable in the NRL, showing there is really good depth in the Club at the moment.