NRL Magic Round Tigers v Cowboys betting tips | Round 10, 15/5/22

NRL Magic Round will conclude with a Sunday evening showdown between the Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys.

The Tigers don’t have much to brag about in recent seasons, but they’ve got a case to mount as the best performing Magic Round team.

In 2021 they embarrassed Newcastle and in 2019 it was Penrith who were blown off the park. Will it be the North Queensland Cowboys who they bring crashing back down to earth?

The Cowboys will be looking to make it five wins in a row for the first time in the post-Johnathan Thurston era, and they’re a short $1.33 to achieve that milestone with Betfair.

The West Tigers for some strange reason have revelled in the Magic Round concept. It could be a coincidence or Michael Maguire could just be choosing to turn into Jack Gibson for one week each season. Who knows? Against Manly last week they managed to get off the canvas in the second half after being thoroughly outplayed through the first 40 minutes and make a game of it.

Unfortunately, their goal-line defence let them down again and it meant the score blew out.

Since Jackson Hasting’s return from suspension, they have nice periods in games where they can look threatening in attack, but their defence continues to let them down and ensures they are chasing games often.

Coming up against a team who has dramatically improved their defence is going to put a lot of pressure on their attack, which is reflected in the try scoring odds.

There is great value in Luciano Leilua paying $5.75 to cross the stripe and Jackson Hastings at $7.50 with the top online bookmakers.

Unfortunately the +8.5 will be too skinny and is best avoided by those looking to make a buck or two.

The Cowboys are the feel-good story of the competition this year. They were the popular choice to win the Wooden Spoon yet they are sitting in 3rd place coming in to Round 10.

While that does feel a little inflated due to some breaks in the schedule, there is no doubt they’ved improved out of sight.

They have incredible energy in defence and cut down the thinking time of their opposition, while Scott Drinkwater’s move to fullback has ignited their attack to make them unpredictable.

Heilum Luki and Jeremiah Nanai showed last week against the Knights they can be rangy backrowers who are hard to defend whether it’s with a high kick or on the ground.

12 months ago it felt like Hamiso Tanuai-Fidow was their only exciting player, but now there is plenty of strike in the team.

Tom Dearden in that time as well has gone from Broncos outcast to a $2.90 anytime try scoring option, which demonstrates his improvement running the football. He has five tries so far this year and it’s easy to see him adding a sixth this weekend.

Drinkwater also feels like a special to get across for a try at $2.45 and we think it’s going to come off a scrum play.

The 13 plus at $2.35 is going to be the most popular option rather than the 1-12 point margin.

Key Match Up: Chad Townsend vs Jackson Hastings

Chad Townsend being a central figure in turning the Cowboys around was not a storyline any league fan envisioned but it’s true. After looking stale in the last two seasons, it seems the warmer climate of Townsville and the watchful eye of Todd Payten has reinvigorated the 2016 Premiership winner and we should all expect him to have another big game on Sunday evening. His opposite number, Jackson Hastings, is at the centre of anything good the Tigers to. He has regularly touched the ball 100 times a game this year and it shows he is willing to influence the result one way or another. It’s a low-key halfback battle but one fans should absolutely be invested in.

West Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys betting prediction

While the Tigers might be Magic Round specialists, this feels as though the Cowboys end that reputation with a 13 plus victory. Too much variety in attack against a team who regularly defends its goal line poorly.

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