Cowboys v Knights NRL Rd 2 betting tips | March 16, 2024

Cowboys vs Knights NRL R2 best bets

North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights preview

Super Saturday for round two of the NRL Premiership continues in North Queensland with the Cowboys hosting the Newcastle Knights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. The Cowboys are coming off an incredible 25-point win over the Dolphins on Sunday. The Knights on the other hand suffered an equally disappointing loss to the Raiders in Newcastle.

The Newcastle Knights will be without Dylan Lucas (injured, concussion) and Enari Tuala (injured, quad). Former Panther Thomas Jenkins has been named on the wing to replace Tuala, English import Kai Pearce-Paul has been named in the second row for Lucas, and former Rabbitoh Jed Cartwright will come off the interchange bench.

Cowboys head coach Todd Payten has named an unchanged line-up following his round one win.

Cowboys vs Knights NRL R2 team lists

North QLD Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Jake Granville
15. Griffin Neame
16. Sam McIntyre
17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Newcastle Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Thomas Jenkins
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Elliot
14. Jack Coggers
15. Daniel Saifiti
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Jed Cartwright

Cowboys v Knights NRL tips 16/3/2024

The North Queensland Cowboys will be buoyed by their return to their home ground and fans. Further, the home team has won each of the last ten matches between the Cowboys and Newcastle. The Cowboys have won three of their last five matches against the Knights, while also covering the line in nine of their last thirteen. A similar performance to round one should see the Cowboys cover the -7.5 point line (-111.11).

Zac Laybutt had an incredible start to the season last weekend running for over 170 metres, recording three tackle breaks, two line breaks, one try assist, and scoring the first and last try for the Cowboys. While he has scored the first try in each of the Cowboys’ last two matches as favourites, there is still terrific value in backing Laybutt to be an anytime try scorer (+160) for the home side.

Laybutt’s centre partner, Valentine Holmes, had an equally strong game running for 180 metres, recording two line break assists, one try assist, and four tackle breaks against the 2023 Dally M Centre of the Year Herbie Farnworth last weekend. On Saturday, Homles will be attacking Knights centre Bradman Best, who can have his issues in defence, and Holmes has scored at least one try in nine of his last 11 matches against the visitors. Holmes is another excellent value bet as an anytime try scorer with the leading bookmakers (+190).

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