Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 18 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers. The game kicks off at 5:30 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. Wests Tigers game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday July 1, 2023 at 5:30 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

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North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers Preview

It’s impossible to avoid the overriding storyline of this clash: North Queensland seeking retribution for a horrific 66-18 loss to Wests Tigers just six weeks ago.

The Leichhardt Oval encounter was simultaneously one of the lowly Tigers’ greatest occasions in more than a decade and one of the darkest nights in the Cowboys’ history. But the teams have treaded contrasting paths since that memorable match.

Despite being heavily impacted by Origin, the Cowboys regrouped with a spirited loss to Parramatta then knocked off Melbourne (45-20) and Penrith (27-23 in golden point) at home and South Sydney (31-6) on the road.

Though the Panthers and Rabbitohs were shorthanded to varying degrees, it’s been three straight big statements that have catapulted the Cowboys back into the thick of the finals conversation. Fullback Scott Drinkwater is in blistering touch and there’s a definite 2022 feel about Todd Payten’s squad again.

The Tigers have lost all three games since demolishing the Cowboys – a slide bookended by byes – with a thrilling comeback in a 20-19 loss to Canberra followed up by less encouraging losses to Gold Coast (28-12) and Origin-depleted Melbourne (28-6).

Injuries to Api Koroisau and Luke Brooks have only made things tougher for the 3-11, second-last Tigers.

The Cowboys are unchanged, but 18th man Jason Taumalolo could play after being a late withdrawal last week. The Tigers have recalled Daine Laurie for the first time since Round 4 at five-eighth, allowing Starford To’a to return to the centres. Stefano Utoikamanu is back from Origin duty.

The Leichhardt massacre was the Cowboys’ eighth loss from their last 12 against the Tigers, who have won three of their last four in Townsville. Their only loss in that time was a wildly controversial 27-26 after-the-siren defeat thanks to a contentious late penalty.

But the Cowboys are 6-2 at home this season and appear almost certain to chalk up their fourth straight victory in very comfortable fashion after rediscovering their mojo.

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