NRL Round 5 Preview - Warriors v Cowboys @ Mount Smart Stadium

New Zealand Warriors v North Queensland Cowboys @ Mount Smart Stadium
 
Preview - The unbeaten New Zealand Warriors can expect a massive crowd at Mount Smart Stadium as they host the struggling Cowboys in the second leg of the double header on Saturday night. The Warriors put an exclamation point on their amazing start to the season by thumping the Roosters 30-6, to make it 3 from 3 on the road to start 2018, after winning just one game in Australia in 2017. The Cowboys have slumped to three straight losses, after a miserable 33-14 defeat at home to Penrith, which sees a bit of pressure surrounding one of the pre-season favourites for the title. 
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - The Warriors welcome back a couple of big name players to a side that won so well without them last week. Halfback Shaun Johnson is back after a week out through injury, whilst Simon Mannering (shoulder) has been named on the bench for his first game of the season, with Ligi Sao dropping out. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys have suffered an injury blow with big name recruit Jordan McLean out for the season He is replaced by Scott Bolton at starting prop, with Corey Jensen joining the bench. Johnathan Thurston has been very scratchy in his stint this year with the veteran superstar being put under plenty of pressure in defence and with rushing defence. 
 
Verdict - Warriors 13+

I really like the Warriors here to keep the roll going. I think other than people thinking the Cowboys are simply off to a slow start, they are a side with a few issues that might continue through the season. The Warriors have already won three road games, so playing in front of a potential sell-out crowd here I expect them to lift further. Put simply, they are playing a brand of football that we have not seen from the Warriors in years. They are running really hard and playing off the back of that, and I think that might be too much for a Cowboys’ side playing without much pace or confidence, and with a few injury issues.