NRL Round 6 Preview and Prediction - North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
 
Preview - The Tigers will be looking to put another weekend of turmoil behind them as Ivan Cleary takes charge for the first time when they visit North Queensland to take on the Cowboys. The Tigers are rooted to the bottom of the table after 4 straight losses including a demoralising 28-6 loss to the Dragons last Sunday at ANZ Stadium. The team now has the worst attack and the worst defence in the NRL and appear light years away from being a final’s contender, despite the appointment of an experienced coach. The Cowboys are quietly going about their business very effectively, sitting in the Top 4 with 4 wins from their opening 5 games including last week’s convincing 22-8 win over the Rabbitohs at 1300 Smiles Stadium. 
 
History - The Cowboys have dominated the Tigers in Townsville over the years, winning 11 and losing just 4 games. Whilst the Cowboys have won 3 from their past 5, the Tigers did win the only clash between the two teams last season 26-14 and hold a 17-15 overall winning record against the Cowboys.
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys have managed to deal well with a number of injuries this season and it will be no different coming into this game. An injury to Jake Granville means Ben Hampton wins a start at hooker. Kalyn Ponga wins a start on the bench, although Lachlan Coote comes into this game under an injury cloud which could mean Ponga would shift to fullback. 
 
Wests Tigers’ Scouting Report - Ivan Cleary, having just got his feet under the desk, has named an unchanged starting side to give the players a chance to show him what they have before he makes a raft of changes. The only change is injury enforced, with Matt Ballin once again injured and youngster Jacob Liddle coming into his place. It will be interesting to see whether Cleary continues to persist with five eight Mitchell Moses given he has recently signed a 3-year contract with Parramatta. Moses asked for an immediate release which was rejected by the Club, so it’s hard to see him putting his body on the line all season given the circumstances. 
 
Verdict - Cowboys 13+ 

I can't see anything other than a big win for the Cowboys here. The Tigers just have too many issues on the paddock, let alone off the paddock, and whilst I think they will display a better attitude with Ivan Cleary at the helm there are too many glaring weaknesses in this team. I expect the Cowboys to heavily target the Tigers’ dodgy right hand side defence with Thurston aiming some kicks in behind. With Townsville still being hot and humid, I think the Tigers’ fitness levels are another huge concern coming into this game. They have managed just 6 second half points in their last 4 games combined, and the Cowboys have too many weapons not to take advantage of that, especially being at home.