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Cowboys coach Todd Payten continues to make bold decisions, but his latest selections are unlikely to prevent the team from suffering a 0-3 start to the season, as noted by Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler.
This Friday night, North Queensland will take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, an eagerly awaited Queensland derby, with both sides looking to overcome recent setbacks.
The Broncos showcased their prowess in round one, comfortably defeating the Roosters in Sydney, before experiencing a surprising defeat at the hands of Ricky Stuart’s Raiders in Canberra.
Reece Robson of the Cowboys addresses the team after a Sharks try. Getty
While the Broncos’ loss was unexpected, the Cowboys’ ongoing struggles are of greater concern. In response, Payten has reinstated representative talent Jeremiah Nanai and the star forward Jason Taumalolo, while parting ways with young halfback Tom Duffy.
During a discussion on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips, Fittler expressed scepticism about whether these changes would yield positive results, citing the team’s porous edge defence, which has been culpable in allowing 42 points against Manly and 36 points against Cronulla.
“The Cowboys’ coach has made a shift, bringing back Nanai, Taumalolo is also back, and Jake Clifford replaces Duffy at halfback,” Fittler mentioned.
“Nanai’s on the bench. They also have Robert Derby, the Papua New Guinean centre, who is a strong player.”
“Unfortunately, Duffy was put in a difficult scenario…”
Johns agreed, noting that Duffy had been left defenseless.
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“Particularly playing behind a forward pack that isn’t gaining ground,” Johns said. “For a young half, it’s an impossible situation.”
Both predicted a Broncos victory in a match that may bring back painful memories for Ben Hunt, who will be facing the Cowboys in a Brisbane jersey for the first time since the 2015 grand final. In that match, he infamously dropped the kick-off to begin extra time, setting the stage for Johnathan Thurston to secure victory with a field goal, delivering the Cowboys their first and only premiership to date.
Scroll down for the latest leaderboard and Round 3 predictions from all Nine’s expert tipsters!
Nine’s NRL tipping leaderboard. Nine
Andrew Johns: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Dolphins, Knights, Bulldogs, Manly
Brad Fittler: Storm, Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Tigers, Knights, Bulldogs, Manly
Paul Gallen: Storm, Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Dolphins, Titans, Bulldogs, Manly
Ruan Sims: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Tigers, Knights, Bulldogs, Raiders
Johnathan Thurston: Storm, Warriors, Cowboys, Sharks, Dolphins, Titans, Bulldogs, Raiders
Danika Mason: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Tigers, Knights, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles
David Middleton: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Tigers, Knights, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles
Mat Thompson: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Tigers, Titans, Bulldogs, Manly
Peter Psaltis: Storm, Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Dolphins, Titans, Bulldogs, Raiders
Michael Chammas: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Tigers, Titans, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles
The Mole: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Wests Tigers, Knights, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles
Ben Glover: Storm, Warriors, Broncos, Sharks, Tigers, Titans, Eels, Sea Eagles
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