The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys travel to the Gold Coast to battle the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
1. DERBY DAY
Following a 24-12 victory in Round 4 in the home leg, the Cowboys travel south for the away fixture of the XXXX Derby against the Titans. North Queensland has won three consecutive games against the Gold Coast, stretching back to a 30-4 triumph in Round 7 last season. The Cowboys own a 19-11 lead in 30 overall clashes between the two sides.
2. BIG SHOES TO FILL
With Jeremiah Nanai sidelined for a month, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been elevated to the starting side for the first time in his NRL career. The 19-year-old has been a revelation in nine top grade appearances in his debut season. Finefeuiaki will start at second-row, with Jamayane Taunoa-Brown and Sam McIntyre joining the interchange.
3. ROLLING ON
The Cowboys have the opportunity to equal the second-longest winning streak in club history with a victory on Sunday afternoon. A win over the Titans would be the seventh consecutive for North Queensland, which would equal the seven-game streak between Round 21 and a 49-12 semi-final victory over the Warriors in 2007. The longest winning streak in club history remains the 11-game run in 2015.
4. DOUBLE DOSE
For the second game day in a row, Sunday will be a busy afternoon in front of the TV for Cowboys fans. The Cowboys NRLW kick off their fixture against the Knights at Belmore Sports Ground at 12pm, with the NRL game to follow at 4pm.
5. STATS UPDATE
Scott Drinkwater continues to lead the NRL with 22 try assists, one in front of South Sydney’s Cody Walker. Drinkwater sits second in the competition with 25 line-break assists. Valentine Holmes’ deficit for the NRL point-scoring lead is down to seven. Holmes’ 166 points trail the 173 scored by The Dolphins’ Jamayne Isaako. Chad Townsend ranks first in field goals (4) and second for both kick metres (8,674) and total kicks (280). Reece Robson’s 754 tackles are third most in the NRL.
