Warriors vs Cowboys NRL Round 8 betting tips – Sunday, May 2

The North Queensland Cowboys will fly south to Gosford full of confidence on the back of three-straight NRL victories when they take on the New Zealand Warriors at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday. The Cowboys will get Jason Taumalolo back into the side for the first time since round one, while Tohu Harris will return for the Warriors to start opposite the North Queensland captain. A win for either team could draw them even with the teams bunched at the bottom end of the eight, while it would also mean taking two points from a potential rival for the same spot come September. While it may only be round eight, both teams have it all to play for on Sunday afternoon.

Warriors vs Cowboys betting preview

The Warriors have lost seven of their last nine games when they’ve come in as the favourites with the online bookmakers, so beware the fool’s gold in the $1.60 price. While they’ve proven to be a tough out at Central Coast, do they have the cattle to get the job done with the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake, Chanel Harris-Tevita, Euan Aitken and Peta Hiku missing?

Ken Maumalo did a good job on the wing with three ties in the heavy loss to the Storm on ANZAC Day. He is a short $8 to cross the line first and will no doubt get the bulk of the money. Reece Walsh starred on debut at fullback last week and has been named in the five-eighth role for this game, but he more than likely will switch back to the no.1 jumper when they take the field, making the $4.50 for him to score a maiden NRL try a fantastic option.

North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten has done a terrific job to turn the tide after starting the year with four horrific losses. Even though they have a terrible record when travelling south, the $2.35 head-to-head price has to be jumped on as the upset pick of the round. The Cowboys finally have some continuity to their squad, and the return of Taumalolo is an enormous boost. Also remembers that Payten coached the opposition last year, so he knows that squad inside out.

Our guy Benjamin Condon has gone from $7 to $4.50 to score for a fourth consecutive game, but you can still get terrific value for Reece Robson at $6.50. As a dangerous runner of the ball out of acting half, Robson is always a threat to cross. Valentine Holmes at $13 to score the game’s first try is where most Cowboys fans will put their money, as his form has been terrific in the past few weeks.

Key matchup: Tohu Harris vs Jason Taumalolo

Jason Taumalolo and Tohu Harris are two of the best forwards in the world, and both are hugely important for their teams despite their contrasting styles. Taumalolo hasn’t been sighted since he put in a career-worst game in round one, while Harris has been a pillar of strength for the past 18 months as the Warriors have navigated uncharted territory. Does Harris take it upon himself to step up and keep a wounded Taumalolo down, or will the Tongan hero break the shackles and run wild through the Warriors middle?

Warriors vs Cowboys match predictions

Winning margin: North Queensland Cowboys by 1-12 points

The Cowboys will win by 1-12 points for a nice return of $3.60. Warriors coach Nathan Brown has been sending some dangerous messages to his team with some of his comments this week, being far too honest about how they stood no chance to win in Melbourne and that they’re four or five weeks away from finding their best team. The Cowboys have scored at least 26 points in their last three wins and should do the same when they get their fourth in a row.

Same game multi: 3 legs @ $34.50

The Cowboys at the 1-12 margin with Ken Maumalo and Reece Robson to both cross for a try pays $34.50 at Sportsbet.