PointsBet Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 7 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs. North Queensland Cowboys game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday April 21, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Where: PointsBet Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Odds
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
Cronulla and North Queensland occupy top-four spots after six rounds, but the jury remains out on both teams credentials to be considered anything more than second- or third-tier title contenders.
The 4-1 Sharks sit in first place, recovering from a horrific 32-6 loss to the Tigers by overcoming an 18-point deficit in a 36-22 win over the Raiders and outlasting Souths 34-22 either side of the Round 5 bye.
Ronaldo Mulitalo was outstanding against the Rabbitohs, while Nicho Hynes and Blayke Brailey also shone and Kayal Iro is cementing a spot in the centres.
But the Sharks will be striving to tighten up defensive after leaking plenty of points in their last three games.
Sam Stonestreet will debut on the wing for the suspended Sione Katoa this week, while Braden Hamlin-Uele joins the bench for his first game of 2024.
The 4-2 Cowboys are in serious danger of acquiring the flat-track bully tag that hounded the Sharks through 2023.
Theyve lapped the Dolphins, Dragons and Titans so far this season, but the past three rounds have also included a 38-12 drubbing from the Broncos and a 27-20 defeat to the depleted Eels.
The Cowboys are heavily reliant on brilliant fullback Scott Drinkwater, while the team has a penchant for drifting out of games and an unwillingness to roll up their sleeves and dig in for the arm-wrestle.
Their only change sees Semi Valemei replace injured winger Murray Taulagi.
The Sharks have won 10 of their last 11 against the Cowboys the only exception being the extra-time qualifying final at home in 2022.
Last season the Sharks exacted revenge with a 44-6 rout in Sydney and a 32-12 victory in Townsville, with Ronaldo Mulitalo scoring three tries across the two games.
The Cowboys have travelled poorly since the start of last season, while the Sharks are on an 8-3 run at home with each victory coming by 10-plus points.
The visitors are getting too much credit in this market as only a 3.5-point underdog and theyll need a vastly improved effort to avoid getting lapped.
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Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Tip
We're tipping Cronulla Sharks to win at $1.65 odds.
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Teams
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Thomas Hazelton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jack Williams 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Siosifa Talakai 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Kade Dykes 21. Billy Burns 22. Mawene Hiroti
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Tomas Chester 5. Semi Valemei 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Jake Granville 15. Griffin Neame 16. Sam McIntyre 17. Jack Gosiewski 18. Jake Clifford 19. Thomas Mikaele 20. Marly Bitungane 21. Jamal Shibasaki 22. Viliami Vailea