The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys travel to Brisbane to face the Warriors in Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.
1. IT’S MAGIC
The Cowboys are on a three-game winning streak at Magic Round, including a 28-22 triumph over the Rabbitohs last season, behind doubles to Braidon Burns and Tom Dearden. Prior to that fixture, North Queensland toppled the Roosters in 2023 and the Tigers in 2022.
2. TOUGH OPPONENT
The Warriors have been tough to topple for North Queensland in recent seasons, winning the previous three encounters. The Cowboys’ most recent victory over the Kiwi outfit was a 48-4 victory in Round 23 of the 2022 season. The Warriors hold a 26-22 lead in the overall head to head battle.
3. STICKING STRONG
Todd Payten has again named an unchanged line-up to face the Warriors with Jeremiah Nanai holding his spot in the second row after a brilliant two-try return to the starting side last weekend. As per the late change to face the Titans, Harrison Edwards remains on the interchange.
4. STATS UPDATE
Tom Dearden sits fourth in the NRL with seven try assists and second for line-break assists with nine, two behind leader Nicho Hynes. Murray Taulagi and Jaxon Purdue both sit inside the top 10 with six tries for the season. Scott Drinkwater sits eight in the point-scoring race with 54 through six games.
