NRL betting tips for Warriors vs Cowboys, Saturday April 7

5.30pm AET (7.50pm NZ time) Saturday April 7, 2018, at Mt Smart Stadium, New Zealand

Hands up if you tipped the New Zealand Warriors to be undefeated up until round five.

Nobody? Didn’t think so.

New Zealand has taken all before them so far in 2018, culminating in a dominant 24 point win over the highly fancied Sydney Roosters in round four. The Warriors spine of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Blake Green, Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke are at their respective peaks, and confront last year’s grand finalists at the perfect time.

The North Queensland Cowboys failed to recapture the top line form that saw them stun the competition throughout the finals of 2017. Both Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan have failed find their best form.

Not only has form deserted them, but the injury bug has also hit the Northerners hard. Star forward Jordan McLean has been sidelined for three months after sustaining a foot injury.

Can the Warriors win their first five games of the season or does JT have an ace up his sleeve?

Players to watch – Warriors v Cowboys

Sharks – Shaun Johnson: Star Kiwi Shaun Johnson will be keen to prove his worth after missing last week’s consummate professional win over the Roosters. The Warriors proved they can beat the best without Johnson, so we believe the 27-year-old will be determined to showcase to his teammates his true worth.

Roosters – Johnathan Thurston: Who else did you expect? The great JT has yet to hit full flight this season, but it would be foolish to count the superstar out. His side has lacked a certain spark over the opening month of this campaign, but we all know Thurston’s playmaking ability means his side will always be dangerous.

Warriors team

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 David Fusitua, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Solomone Kata, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Blake Green, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Bunty Afoa, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Agnatius Paasi, 11 Leivaha Pulu, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Adam Blair

Interchange: 14 Jazz Tevaga, 15 Sam Lisone, 16 Simon Mannering, 17 Anthony Gelling

Cowboys team

1 Ben Hampton, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Justin O’Neill, 4 Javid Bowen, 5 Antonio Winterstein, 6 Michael Morgan, 7 Johnathan Thurston (c), 8 Matthew Scott (c), 9 Jake Granville, 10 Scott Bolton, 11 Gavin Cooper, 12 Coen Hess, 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 John Asiata, 16 Corey Jensen, 17 Ethan Lowe

Warriors vs Cowboys – who wins?

The Warriors look set to make it five in a row to start 2018.

Last week proved their opening trio of wins wasn’t a fluke. The Kiwis crushed the Chooks in strong fashion, and subsequently firmed into the $12 quote at Sportsbet.

The Cowboys have been below their best, and it’s going to take a monumental effort to beat the Warriors across the Tasman. Frankly, we haven’t seen enough from them this year to suggest they can simply flick the switch.

New Zealand by 1-12 points is the right play here.

Tip: New Zealand Warriors to win 1-12 ($3.30 at Sportsbet)