Five things you need to know: Round 3 v Broncos
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys travel to Brisbane to face the Broncos in the first installment of the 2022 XXXX Derby.
1. DERBY TIME
One of the biggest rivalries in the NRL is set to add another chapter in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon. The Cowboys and Broncos have produced some of the NRL’s most epic showdowns in the past decade and added another last season. Trailing by six heading into the final five minutes, the Cowboys leveled the scores through a powerful individual effort by skipper Jason Taumalolo. Valentine Holmes followed with a remarkable field goal in the 78th minute to claim a 19-18 victory.
2. WELCOME BACK
Reuben Cotter is set to make his season debut after a false start leading into Round 1. The Sarina Crocodiles junior suffered a small hamstring strain in the final training session before the season opener, which also caused him to miss Round 2. The Cowboys super utility has been named on the bench in place of Mitch Dunn, who suffered a torn ACL last week.
3. CLOSING IN
Pre-season surprise packet Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is closing in on a return from a knee injury after being named in the reserves by Todd Payten. Taunoa-Brown was handed a starting jersey for the season opener, but was unable to finish the game after suffering a PCL injury. An outside chance to play this weekend, the 25-year-old should return in Round 4.
4. AFTERNOON SUN
Sunday’s game marks the first afternoon clash between the Cowboys and Broncos for 16 years. The last time the two sides met with the sun still up was in Round 1 of the 2006 season. Cowboys fans will be hoping for a similar result, with the Cowboys thumping their arch-rivals 36-4 behind a Johnathan Thurston hat-trick at Suncorp Stadium.
5. FLYING SOUTH
Sunday’s game will also be the first of three Cowboys trips to Brisbane inside the first 10 rounds. Following the XXXX Derby, the Cowboys return in Round 5 to face the Warriors in Redcliffe and again to battle the Tigers for the Round 10 Magic Round.
