Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 8 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with North Queensland Cowboys heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday April 22, 2023 at 7:35 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights Preview

It’s crunch time for North Queensland, sitting second-last on the ladder with a 2-5 record on a three-match losing streak. Going down to the Dolphins at home 32-22 thanks to a first-half blitz, the Cowboys couldn’t capitalise on a welter of possession in a 22-14 road loss to the gritty Warriors.

It’s just not clicking for Todd Payten’s charges, struggling to execute on attack despite ample opportunities in the past two games and averaging just 17.3 points per game on the season (15th in the NRL).

Compounding matters for the Cowboys, Jason Taumalolo (knee) is set to miss six weeks. Reuben Cotter will start at lock, while Jordan McLean’s return ends the bizarre Jake Granville experiment at prop.

Newcastle continues to overachieve in the face of a tough injury toll, but after upsetting the Warriors 34-24 in Round 6 the Knights fell out of the Top 8 via a desperately unlucky golden point loss to Penrith.

The 3-1-3 Knights were gallant and did enough to beat most teams – but the Panthers are a tough nut to crack. They need to channel the positives of the gut-wrenching 16-15 end result. Lachie Miller’s breakout year garnered another standout display, will winger Greg Marzhew was also big.

The Knights get Kalyn Ponga and Jacob Saifiti back for the first time since Round 2, with Tyson Gamble slipping back to the bench. Brodie Jones is out injured for the Knights.

The Cowboys have won seven of their last 10 against the Knights, who are on a six-match losing streak in Townsville. The Cowboys cruised to a 36-16 home victory in Round 9 last year. But the fortunes of both teams have shifted in the past 12 months.

Despite the Cowboys’ desperate situation and home advantage, Taumalolo is a huge loss and the bolstered Knights arrive in Townsville with enough momentum and confidence to carve out a vital win.

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