Match Preview: Form horses saddle up for Magic Round

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Author: NRL.com & photosport.nz
Timestamp: Sat 3 May 2025, 06:40 AM

Both the One New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland have form on their side when they face each other in Saturday's NRL magic Round encounter at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

After a disappointing fall from grace in 2024 the Warriors have found their mojo again this season with halves Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita leading the way.

The classy playmakers have led their side to wins in five of their past six matches after a lacklustre first-up loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas and head to Magic Round with confidence.

North Queensland won't be lacking self-belief either after piling on seven tries in 33 minutes to blow the Titans off the park in the second half in round eight.

The Cowboys own one of the great Magic Round moments with Murray Taulagi’s freakish pass for Scott Drinkwater to score against Wests Tigers in 2023 and a dose of that trickery could go a long way towards delivering a fifth win on the trot.

Round 9 - Saturday 3rd May

Full Time

Warriors

Cowboys

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Highlights Latest

Team news

One New Zealand Warriors: Ali Leiataua is out of Saturday’s clash against North Queensland after he was initially named in an unchanged starting lineup. He has been ruled out after picking up an ankle injury in Thursday’s field session. In his absence, Adam Pompey moves back into the centres with Edward Kosi being brought in on the left wing. As well as Leiataua, the other two players omitted from the extended squad at the 24-hour deadline are halfback Tanah Boyd and second rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava. Earlier, Jacob Laban was not named in the side after being placed in the concussion protocols, with Te Maire Martin coming onto the bench as his replacement. Leka Halasima was named to start in the back row.

Cowboys: Karl Lawton, Kai O’Donnell and Tom Mikaele are the three players to drop out of the 22-man squad named on Tuesday in the 24-hour update. No changes to the 17 that defeated the Titans last Saturday, with Harrison Edwards to wear jumper No.15 after he was a late promotion to the bench last weekend. NSW Under 19 forward Kaiden Lahrs has been named in the extended squad and could make his NRL debut this weekend.

Round 9 - Saturday 3rd May

Full Time

Warriors

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Taine Tuaupiki

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Warriors is number 5 Adam Pompey

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
Winger for Warriors is number 23 Edward Kosi

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Marata Niukore

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Leka Halasima

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson Ford

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sam McIntyre
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Samuel Healey

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire Martin

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Zac Laybutt

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 02:04 pm Sunday 4th May 2025

Stat attack

The Warriors have won four of their last five games against the Cowboys.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored seven tries in seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Warriors have lost six of their past seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
Cowboys centre Jaxson Purdue has scored six tries in his last six games.
The Warriors can equal their best start to a season after eight games with a win.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.