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

March 15, 2024 6:26 am.by Jack Hudson

North QLD Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights ROund 2


North Queensland Cowboys vs Newcastle Knights NRL Betting Odds & Game Info
Best odds	Cowboys -250 at Bet365 \| Knights +190 at Neds
When	Saturday, March 16 \| 5.30pm AEST
Where	Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Last time they met	Cowboys 18 d Knights 16 (Rd 8, 2023)
Watch live	Nine, Fox Sports, Kayo

Cowboys vs Knights NRL R2 best bets

Cowboys -7.5

-111.11
@
Neds

Zac Laybutt Anytime Tryscorer

+160
@
Bet365

Valentine Holmes Anytime Tryscorer

+190
@
Unibet

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

Scott Drinkwater
Kyle Feldt
Valentine Holmes
Zac Laybutt
Murray Taulagi
Tom Dearden
Chad Townsend
Jordan McLean
Reece Robson
Jason Taumalolo
Heilum Luki
Jeremiah Nanai
Reuben Cotter
Jake Granville
Griffin Neame
Sam McIntyre
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Newcastle Knights

Kalyn Ponga
Thomas Jenkins
Dane Gagai
Bradman Best
Greg Marzhew
Tyson Gamble
Jackson Hastings
Jacob Saifiti
Phoenix Crossland
Leo Thompson
Tyson Frizell
Kai Pearce-Paul
Adam Elliot
Jack Coggers
Daniel Saifiti
Jack Hetherington
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).