NRL Round 7 Preview - Cowboys v Titans @ 1300 Smiles Stadium

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
 
Preview - A desperate Cowboys’ outfit need a win in a Queensland derby on Saturday night as they host the Gold Coast Titans at 1300 Smiles Stadium. The Cowboys have suffered five straight losses, and were extremely disappointing in their 27-10 home loss to the Bulldogs last weekend. With Paul Green having re-signed for three more years during the week, the Cowboys need a victory to stay in touch with the Top 8 just six rounds into the season. The Titans had a competitive first half against the Panthers, but folded later, losing 35-12 at Pepper Stadium as they continued their Jekyll and Hyde form to slip to 3-3 on the season. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - Paul Green has stuck solid with an unchanged side, despite the Cowboys’ woeful form. The Cowboys halves Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston have both been well below their best; however they have been playing off the back foot and from behind nearly every week. The Cowboys’ pack, outside Jason Taumololo, really need to lift their game. 
 
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - The Titans make a raft of changes with Phillip Sami moving from wing to centre for Dale Copley who is out injured, and Tyronne Roberts-Davis called up on the flank. Mitch Rein starts at hooker for Nathan Peats who is injured. Ryan James (suspension) returns at prop, pushing Max King to the bench where Keegan Hipgrave also replaces Ryan Simpkins. Lock Jai Arrow has been named after overcoming back spasms that ended his Round 6 early.
 
Preview - Cowboys by 1-6 in an ugly game

Surely the Cowboys can get themselves a win here, even though I’m tempted to oppose them. The Titans’ road form has been wretched however, and the Cowboys coming off five straight losses, including an embarrassing performance at home last week, might just scramble over the line, although I can’t see it being pretty. Despite their poor performances there still appears plenty of effort at the Cowboys and there too productive a side to not start getting some sort of momentum going. The Titans to me look to be playing better footy, but can be very brittle when momentum goes against then. Cowboys to win, but the game to go down to the final 10 minutes.