Match Preview: NRL Round 25 vs Cowboys

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Fri 22 Aug 2025, 03:15 PM

A special afternoon awaits at Leichhardt Oval as Wests Tigers host the Cowboys in Heritage Round, which also doubles as the 150th NRL appearance for co-captain Jarome Luai.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Sunday 24 Aug

6:05 am

Wests Tigers

Cowboys

Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

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Fresh off back-to-back wins and with their finals hopes still flickering, the Tigers will look to maintain their perfect 2025 record at Leichhardt after earlier wins over the Sharks and Titans at the club’s spiritual home.

Head Coach Benji Marshall has named an unchanged 22-man squad following last weekend’s spirited 26-12 win over Manly at Allianz Stadium.

Starford To’a has been named to play despite being forced from the field with a shoulder concern in Round 24.
Jarome Luai will lead the team from five-eighth as he celebrates his 150th NRL game.

Todd Payten has also named an unchanged 17 following North Queensland’s dominant win over the Knights in Round 24.

The equation is simple for Wests Tigers: win, or the door to the finals most likely slams shut.

The Tigers sit four points adrift of the eighth-placed Roosters with three games remaining, and a win at Leichhardt is likely non-negotiable if they’re to keep the dream alive.

Benji Marshall’s side has found cohesion in recent weeks, highlighted by a gritty showing in the wet against the Bulldogs and a confident performance against the Sea Eagles.

North Queensland pose a physical challenge. With key personnel back on deck, they’ll bring power through the middle and spark on the edges.

The last match between these two sides was in Round 13 when the Cowboys emerged victorious 32-28, while the Tigers' last win over North Queensland came by way of a 66-18 thrashing in 2023.

Match Highlights: Round 12 vs Cowboys

Round 25 - Round 25 - Sunday 24 Aug

6:05 am

Wests Tigers

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan May

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Latu Fainu

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl Lawton
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Charlie Murray

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Zac Laybutt
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tony Sukkar

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Thomas Mikaele

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath Mason

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'Donnell
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Brent Naden

Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Marly Bitungane
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Kit Laulilii

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Nicholas Lenaz
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Krystian Mapapalangi

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Jaxson Paulo
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Luke Laulilii

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Kaiden Lahrs

Brent Naden
Kit Laulilii
Krystian Mapapalangi
Luke Laulilii

Jaxson Paulo
Kaiden Lahrs
Marly Bitungane
Nicholas Lenaz

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 8/22/2025 1:00:53 AM

Fast Facts:

The Tigers have won nine of their last 11 games against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval.
The Cowboys have won six of their last seven games against the Tigers.
Tigers winger Jeral Skelton has scored six tries in his last four games.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored eight tries in seven games against Wests Tigers.
Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai will make his 150th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by NRL historian/statistician David Middleton.