NRL Round 20 Preview - Cowboys v Knights @ 1300 Smiles Stadium.

North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
 
Preview - The Knights are shooting for three straight wins when they travel to Townsville to take on the hapless Cowboys at 1300 Smiles Stadium on Friday night. The Knights came from 24-10 down last week to round up the Titans for their 8th win of the season, as they continue to grow from the side that were coming off three straight wooden spoons. The Cowboys are now locked in a battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon after another listless performance going down 24-10 to the Dragons at home last week. 
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report - The Cowboys are unchanged from the side that went down to the Dragons. Paul Green, perhaps with an eye to next season, leaves Te Maire Martin at fullback and Jake Clifford to partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - Kalyn Ponga returns at fullback and will be out for a huge game against his former club. Sione Mata'utia is also back from injury for Cory Denniss. 
 
Verdict - Knights by 1-8

I have given up on tipping the Cowboys. This is a huge game for them as they could very well be looking at a shockingly unexpected Wooden Spoon. However, I just think Kalyn Ponga is going to come back to haunt them and have a huge game for the Knights. Expecting this game to be close and high scoring but, with Ponga and Pearce back together, I just think the Knights will have too much firepower for a desperately slow and out of sorts Cowboys’ side.