Cowboys to open new stadium with a bang  

North Queensland will open their new stadium with a bang, hosting rivals Brisbane in an epic clash.

Brisbane hold a 34-16-2 advantage over North Queensland and have kicked clear recently with four wins in the last five meetings. Nine of the last 11 meetings have been decided by six points or fewer. This is the first meeting at Queensland Country Bank Stadium but the Cowboys have won six of the last nine in Townsville. Seven of the last nine meetings have reached 37 total points.

The Cowboys have certainly had a better preseason. North Queensland won the NRL Nines before defeating Brisbane 18-16 in a trial. They rounded out their preseason with a disappointing 22-14 loss to Melbourne. Brisbane had an awful preseason. They opened with a 36-18 win over Central Queensland before losses to Wynnum Manly (16-12), North Queensland (18-16) and Gold Coast (28-22). They failed to reach the knockout phase of the Nines despite starting the tournament favoured.

North Queensland have purchased well while the Broncos have a big injury toll and look flaky at best down the spine. The Cowboys have won six of seven Round 1 games and fancy they can continue that run.

ERL prediction

North Queensland Cowboys for the win.

If we had to pick a Line

North Queensland Cowboys -1.5