NRL Match Preview: Round 2 v Cowboys

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Fri 14 Mar 2025, 05:29 PM

From Las Vegas to Townsville, the jet-setting Sharks will look to open their 2025 account against the Cowboys in Saturday night's Round 2 clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

24-hour squad update

After pushing four-peat premiers the Panthers all the way in a frustrating yet encouraging 28-22 loss in the US a fortnight ago, Cronulla are determined to come back from their latest away trip with two valuable competition points in tow.

North Queensland are also desperate to get off the mark at home after copping a 42-12 shellacking at the hands of the Sea Eagles to start their season.

It's the first meeting between the clubs since the Sharks knocked the Cowboys out of last year's finals series with a 26-18 win at Allianz Stadium, marking Cronulla's 12th victory from their past 14 games against North Queensland.

However, the Cowboys edged out the Sharks 30-22 when the teams faced off at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in July last season.

"We're looking forward to another contest," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.

"Post 'Round Zero' (in Vegas) we had the weekend off and got to work on some things that we needed to improve. We're excited to be up here.

"It's always a good challenge against the Cowboys and it's the Paul Green Medal (awarded to the Player of the Match), so we're looking forward to it."

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The Coach's Mail - Round 2

After arriving on Wednesday night, the Sharks have banked two training sessions and acclimatised to the humidity and frequent downpours in Townsville.

The forecast suggests more rain could turn the game into a wet-weather affair.

"You don't ignore it; it's the same if we were playing in Sydney and it was raining. We always address the environment and what's important," Fitzgibbon said.

In Sharks team news, recently re-signed prop Tom Hazelton is out due to back soreness. Cronulla won't lose any size, though, with Tuku Hau Tapuha elevated to the bench in his place. Mawene Hiroti and Billy Burns remain in the 19-man squad, while Jayden Berrell and Hohepa Puru have been omitted.

The head-to-head stats strongly favour the Sharks, who boast a 66% win record over North Queensland (their best versus any current team) and have scored at least 20 points in 11 straight games against the Cowboys dating back to 2020.

Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will aim to extend his record of 11 tries in 12 appearances against the Cowboys – his highest tally against all teams.

But Fitzgibbon is anticipating a vastly improved North Queensland outfit with the likes of Scott Drinkwater, Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter in their ranks.

The dummy-half battle between incumbent NSW Origin hooker Robson and consistent Cronulla rake Blayke Brailey bears watching closely. Also crucial is the playmaking duel featuring Braydon Trindall, who tore the Cowboys apart in last year's semi-final, and Australian Test five-eighth Tom Dearden.

"There's always a response. Anyone that doesn't win, irrespective of the scoreline, usually responds the week after," Fitzgibbon said.

"The level of importance of our clashes with the Cowboys... it's always a good contest. They're a good club, they've got a good squad and they've been well-coached for a long time. We're expecting a response and we want to respond to our loss as well. That makes it a good challenge."

Adding to the occasion, Siosifa Talakai will celebrate his 100th match for the Sharks, having gone from a train-and-triallist in 2020 to a mainstay of the team.

The opportunity to play for the Paul Green Medal, awarded to the Man of the Match judged by the winning coach, is an honour for all involved.

Since its inception, Cronulla's Nicho Hynes (2023), Connor Tracey (2023) and Will Kennedy (2024) have claimed the prestigious award, with representative second-rower Jeremiah Nanai (2024) the lone Cowboy to receive the honour.

The late Green was a legend of both clubs who enjoyed a stellar stint as a halfback at Cronulla in the 1990s. He turned his hand to coaching after his playing days and famously led North Queensland to their maiden title in 2015.

"He won the Cowboys' first-ever premiership as a coach and a Rothmans Medal for the Sharks. He was a huge influence on both clubs," Fitzgibbon said.

"The most important thing is his family. They get to celebrate his legacy, so I think it's really important for them. It's usually the reason for a good contest, I reckon."

Kick-off is at 5.30pm AEDT (4.30pm Queensland time), with live TV coverage on Fox League and Kayo. See the updated team lists below.

Round 2 - Saturday 15th March

6:30am

Cowboys

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal Iro
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Thomas Duffy

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kai O'Donnell

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl Lawton

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess

Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 21 Jaxson Paulo

Replacement for Sharks is number 20 Billy Burns
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Thomas Mikaele

Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti