Souths have historically played well against the North Queensland Cowboys, but it has been over a year for the last time Souths played North Queensland and only twice in the last 2 years. Last years Souths were 3rd and the North Queensland 5th. This year they are both once again in the Top 8 fighting for a Top 4 position. This match once again will be a key challenge for Souths to overcome as they strive for a Top 4 finish.

Thurston and Bowen form a critical combination for the Cowboys. Bowen plays like a second five-eigth when he chimes into the line from fullback. And it is no a suprise to see Thurston & Bowen leading the Try Assists in recent weeks. But for me the dangermen will come from Tate and Graham who form a leathal right side attacking combination and Graham can find the try line. So Merritt and Goodwin will have their work cut out for them once again.

The Cowboys boast the Australian Test front row combination in Matt Scott and James Tamou. Last week against Parramatta the raked up a whopping 207m and 181m and have averaged 100+m per game for the last 3 weeks. But appart from these two it is rare for another forward to crack 100+m. So the key to stopping a Cowboys go forward is stopping these two. Most of the Cowboys dummy half running comes from their backline.

The Cowboys have tackling technique issues. They have missed 39-35-36 tackles in their last three outings. With Tate, Thurston, Tariq Sims, Morgan, Reithmuller and Scott all missing 4 or more tackles in recent matches. The Cowboys base their game on low penalty count and low error count and have done well to reduce the opposition offloads also.

Rd08 Away W 14-10 v Parramatta
Rd07 Home W 30-12 v Canberra
Rd06 Away L 10-12 v Brisbane

Rd08 Away W 26-12 v Brisbane
Rd07 Away W 20-12 v Manly
Rd06 Home L 10-17 v Melbourne

2011 Rd24 StAu W 26-24 11,208 B.Cummins/A.Devich
2012 Rd08 StAu W 20-16 12,213 S.Lyons/H.Perenara

Souths will win this game on the back of their great defence, but our edges will be challenged. We will need to keep our error count down this week and not invite the Cowboys into the game. Souths smaller forwards of Asotasi and Tyrell will struggle early to contain Scott and Tamou but later Sam and George Burgess will match their initial onslaught. The Cowboys will struggle to contain Inglis and Sutton when Souths launch their left side attack. In the corresponding game last year Issac made hugh in roads up the middle making 130m, so it I expect Madge to allow him more freedom to run this week. Sutton will be too strong to handle and will thrive off the space Issac creates.

In this game I expect it to be Merritt off a Inglis break.

Souths by 8