Saturday, Dairy Farmers Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Tony Archer

This should not be a good time for any team to be going to Townsville to face the Cowboys. Last Sunday, the Cowboys were awful against South Sydney and lost 28-24. It was the first win of the season for the Rabbitohs and the Cowboys no doubt went home with their tails between their legs. Pride should ensure that they fire up in a big way to try to get it right this week particularly in front of their home crowd.

Expect the Cowboys to try to play the game at high speed from the start, in an attempt to put a gap of a couple of tries between themselves and Cronulla in a hurry. The Sharks are a spoiling side. They don't score many points, but they don't concede many either and they will try to keep the game tight in an attempt to steal it through desperate defence and bit of opportunism. The Cowboys need to get in front and put the Sharks in a position where they have to take a few risks. Key players from both sides will be aiming to back up from the Test the previous night.

Late mail

Cowboys coach Graham Murray said he had "contingency plans" in place after Thurston was injured, which leaves him in significant doubt to play Cronulla on Saturday night.

Anthony Watts would likely play halfback against his former club.

Providing Greg Bird and Paul Gallen emerge unscathed from the Test, Cronulla are likely to be "1-17", with Kade Snowden to play his first game for the club.

COWBOYS: Ashley Graham, Mark Henry, Ben Harris, Ben Farrar, John Williams, Travis Burns, Johnathan Thurston (capt), Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne, Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Daniel Abraham, Justin Smith. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Sam Faust, Dayne Weston, Ben Vaeau.

SHARKS: Brett Kearney, Bryson Goodwin, Ben Pomeroy, David Simmons, Luke Covell, Brett Seymour, Brett Kimmorley, Adam Peek, Isaac De Gois, Danny Nutley, Paul Gallen, Luke Douglas, Greg Bird. Interchange: Kade Snowden, Fraser Anderson, Dustin Cooper, Terence Seu Seu, Paul Stephenson, Bryan Norrie (two to be omitted).