MOVE.80
M-Power
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- Jun 17, 2008
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Suncorp Stadium
Saturday 7.30pm
THE Reconciliation Cup might not have a bearing on the finals this season but it will most certainly have a massive affect on the other end of the table.
The Bulldogs and the Cowboys are the prime candidates for the wooden spoon this season and this game essentially comes as the Cowboys’ last shot at making a move to catch the ’Dogs.
Still four competition points behind the beleaguered Bulldogs, the boys from far north Queensland couldn’t be happier with the decision from the Sydney-based club to move this game to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
It gives them a great chance to have the majority of support and with confidence hard to come by for both sides, a strong fan base could be the x-factor for a win.
The Bulldogs, still reeling from the Sonny Bill Williams defection and the circus that comes with it, have now lost their past three by big margins – and also eight of their past nine.
They sit in 15th spot on the ladder and have at least made some fans happy by naming young gun Benjamin Barba to start at fullback in place of Brent Crisp.
Heka Nanai comes off the wing for the return of Matt Utai while Jarrad Hickey (prop) and Corey Hughes (hooker) both return to the side.
This pushes Fred Briggs and Aaron Groom to the bench and sees Charlie Leaeno miss out.
For the last-placed Cowboys it’s now 13 consecutive losses, the last coming against the Roosters despite their leading at halftime.
They have stuck solid with last week’s team, just adding Scott Bolton as an 18th man.
Watch out Bulldogs: Hooker Aaron Payne is due a big performance and considering the Bulldogs’ lack of starch in defence, especially up the middle, this could be his match.
The Bulldogs have conceded 27 tries up the middle of the field, more than any other team in the NRL, and if Payne can get his running game going he could certainly pose a major threat.
He has seven try assists and seven line-break assists to his name this year but unbelievably he is yet to register a single line break or try.
With time running out to get off the dreaded ‘nudie run’ Payne could be running all night!
Watch out Cowboys: Benjamin Barba has finally been unleashed as a starting NRL player.
Now we will all find out if this Toyota Cup superstar can cut the mustard in the big leagues.
With a mammoth 238 points from 27 tries and 64 goals, plus two field goals and 24 line breaks in the under-20s competition, Barba has been screaming out for a chance and while he’s been coming off the bench the past fortnight, this is his chance to settle into the rhythm of an entire game from fullback.
The Cowboys’ kick-chase would want to be good throughout the night or we could see some fireworks.
Where it will be won: Heart. Never underestimate pride as a motivator when it comes to professional sports people.
Winning this match will be all about heart.
Both teams know they are just filling in the numbers as the season runs down but with a wooden spoon comes dented pride and this is the pivotal battle to decide just who might have to suffer that ignominy.
While the Cowboys haven’t won in four months they have shown signs of promise in recent weeks whereas the Bulldogs look completely unenthused.
But with the knowledge a loss in this game could mean the last-place finish and a win all but guarantees they won’t finish last, you can be sure of a more spirited effort.
The History: Played 23; Bulldogs 15, Cowboys 8.
The Cowboys might be behind on the overall stakes but they have won six of the past eight including the past three straight.
One of those recent wins came at Suncorp, the only clash between the two teams at the venue.
Conclusion: The Cowboys are a real chance of breaking their 13-game winless streak but they’ll need to be committed if they are to continue the ’Dogs recent misery.
A couple of very handy players are retuning for the blue-and-whites and that could be enough to give them some much-needed impetus and enthusiasm.
As stated above, it will come down to heart and the Bulldogs have been renowned for pride over their history… does this team have the same fire in their bellies?
Match officials: Referee – Bernard Sutton; Sideline Officials – Phil Haines & Rod Lawrence; Video ref – Graeme West.
Televised: Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 9.30pm.
Saturday 7.30pm
THE Reconciliation Cup might not have a bearing on the finals this season but it will most certainly have a massive affect on the other end of the table.
The Bulldogs and the Cowboys are the prime candidates for the wooden spoon this season and this game essentially comes as the Cowboys’ last shot at making a move to catch the ’Dogs.
Still four competition points behind the beleaguered Bulldogs, the boys from far north Queensland couldn’t be happier with the decision from the Sydney-based club to move this game to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
It gives them a great chance to have the majority of support and with confidence hard to come by for both sides, a strong fan base could be the x-factor for a win.
The Bulldogs, still reeling from the Sonny Bill Williams defection and the circus that comes with it, have now lost their past three by big margins – and also eight of their past nine.
They sit in 15th spot on the ladder and have at least made some fans happy by naming young gun Benjamin Barba to start at fullback in place of Brent Crisp.
Heka Nanai comes off the wing for the return of Matt Utai while Jarrad Hickey (prop) and Corey Hughes (hooker) both return to the side.
This pushes Fred Briggs and Aaron Groom to the bench and sees Charlie Leaeno miss out.
For the last-placed Cowboys it’s now 13 consecutive losses, the last coming against the Roosters despite their leading at halftime.
They have stuck solid with last week’s team, just adding Scott Bolton as an 18th man.
Watch out Bulldogs: Hooker Aaron Payne is due a big performance and considering the Bulldogs’ lack of starch in defence, especially up the middle, this could be his match.
The Bulldogs have conceded 27 tries up the middle of the field, more than any other team in the NRL, and if Payne can get his running game going he could certainly pose a major threat.
He has seven try assists and seven line-break assists to his name this year but unbelievably he is yet to register a single line break or try.
With time running out to get off the dreaded ‘nudie run’ Payne could be running all night!
Watch out Cowboys: Benjamin Barba has finally been unleashed as a starting NRL player.
Now we will all find out if this Toyota Cup superstar can cut the mustard in the big leagues.
With a mammoth 238 points from 27 tries and 64 goals, plus two field goals and 24 line breaks in the under-20s competition, Barba has been screaming out for a chance and while he’s been coming off the bench the past fortnight, this is his chance to settle into the rhythm of an entire game from fullback.
The Cowboys’ kick-chase would want to be good throughout the night or we could see some fireworks.
Where it will be won: Heart. Never underestimate pride as a motivator when it comes to professional sports people.
Winning this match will be all about heart.
Both teams know they are just filling in the numbers as the season runs down but with a wooden spoon comes dented pride and this is the pivotal battle to decide just who might have to suffer that ignominy.
While the Cowboys haven’t won in four months they have shown signs of promise in recent weeks whereas the Bulldogs look completely unenthused.
But with the knowledge a loss in this game could mean the last-place finish and a win all but guarantees they won’t finish last, you can be sure of a more spirited effort.
The History: Played 23; Bulldogs 15, Cowboys 8.
The Cowboys might be behind on the overall stakes but they have won six of the past eight including the past three straight.
One of those recent wins came at Suncorp, the only clash between the two teams at the venue.
Conclusion: The Cowboys are a real chance of breaking their 13-game winless streak but they’ll need to be committed if they are to continue the ’Dogs recent misery.
A couple of very handy players are retuning for the blue-and-whites and that could be enough to give them some much-needed impetus and enthusiasm.
As stated above, it will come down to heart and the Bulldogs have been renowned for pride over their history… does this team have the same fire in their bellies?
Match officials: Referee – Bernard Sutton; Sideline Officials – Phil Haines & Rod Lawrence; Video ref – Graeme West.
Televised: Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 9.30pm.
