Newcastle Knights vs North Queensland Cowboys Tips and Prediction
How this game shapes up
Round 1 in Vegas and both sides are trying to reset.
Newcastle enter a new era under Justin Holbrook with Dylan Brown arriving and a reshuffled halves pairing. It might click long term, but combinations take time and this is a tough first assignment.
North Queensland were one of the most disappointing sides last season, but the roster is largely settled. Dearden remains the organiser and Reed Mahoney arrives with plenty to prove. The Cowboys also bring a five game winning streak over the Knights into this matchup.
These meetings have leaned under in recent years and both coaches will want defensive steel to start the season.
Best Bets
Cowboys -4.5
The Knights are building something new, but Round 1 usually rewards cohesion. North Queensland’s spine is more settled and they have dominated this matchup in recent seasons. That continuity gives them the edge.
Jaxon Purdue Anytime Tryscorer
Purdue starts in the centres and his numbers in the number three jersey speak for themselves. Fourteen tries in sixteen starts in the centres. If the Cowboys generate clean ball on the edges, he is the one finishing it.
What could go wrong?
If the Knights’ new halves combination clicks immediately, the attack could look very different to last season. Kalyn Ponga only needs a few moments to change a game.
And if both sides go ultra conservative to open the year, the margin could stay tighter than expected deep into the second half.