<p>Two of the form teams in the NRL will tangle when the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys clash in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/round-9-tips-2025">Magic Round</a> blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening.</p> <p>The Warriors have surged into the top four with five wins from their opening seven matches, including last week’s 26-12 home victory over Newcastle.</p> <p>While they boast four wins from their past five meetings with the Cowboys, the Warriors face a significant test stopping this incarnation of the North Queenslanders.</p> <p>Todd Payten’s men obliterated the Titans 50-18 last week to claim their fourth straight win, climbing into the top six in the process.</p> <p>Both of these sides are riding a tsunami of momentum into this one, but the wave has to break for someone. Who will it be?</p> <p>Let’s take a look at how these two sides will line up for Magic Round, along with some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets. This is our Warriors vs Cowboys prediction.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Warriors vs Cowboys Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>New Zealand Warriors</h3> <p>1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad</p> <p>2. Taine Tuaupiki</p> <p>3. Rocco Berry</p> <p>4. Ali Leiataua</p> <p>5. Adam Pompey</p> <p>6. Chanel Harris-Tavita</p> <p>7. Luke Metcalf</p> <p>8. Marata Niukore</p> <p>9. Wayde Egan</p> <p>10. Mitch Barnett</p> <p>11. Kurt Capewell</p> <p>12. Leka Halasima</p> <p>13. Erin Clark</p> <p>14. Te Maire Martin</p> <p>15. Jackson Ford</p> <p>16. Demitric Vaimauga</p> <p>17. Bunty Afoa</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Queensland Cowboys</h3> <p>1. Scott Drinkwater</p> <p>2. Robert Derby</p> <p>3. Jaxon Purdue</p> <p>4. Viliami Vailea</p> <p>5. Murray Taulagi</p> <p>6. Tom Dearden</p> <p>7. Jake Clifford</p> <p>8. Jordan McLean</p> <p>9. Reece Robson</p> <p>10. Jason Taumalolo</p> <p>11. John Bateman</p> <p>12. Jeremiah Nanai</p> <p>13. Reuben Cotter</p> <p>14. Sam McIntyre</p> <p>15. Harrison Edwards</p> <p>16. Griffin Neame</p> <p>17. Coen Hess</p>

<h2>Warriors vs Cowboys Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>We’ve been duly impressed by the Warriors over the last few weeks as they’ve showcased their newfound appreciation for the grind, slogging out back-to-back wins in tense circumstances.</p> <p>These gutsy performances have them sitting fourth and you’d think would make them prime tipping candidates here.</p> <p>Normally, you’d be right. But in NRL round 9 they come up against one of the hottest teams in the competition – the North Queensland Cowboys.</p> <p>The boys from up North have won four on the bounce and their most recent result was a one-sided demolition job on fellow Queenslanders the Titans.</p> <p>The 50-18 rout should have the Warriors’ defensive coaches on high alert because it certainly piqued our interest and we’ll be backing them home here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> North Queensland Cowboys.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>When you’re coming off a hat-trick you’re obviously going to be a prime candidate for any try scoring markets.</p> <p>That’s certainly the case for Cowboys’ finisher Robert Derby, who crossed for three meat pies in his side’s rout of the Titans last week.</p> <p>We’re backing Derby to pick up where he left off last week and cross for an early four-pointer here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Robert Derby.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>Statistics show that four of New Zealand's last five matches in Australia have gone over the total match points line.</p> <p>When the Wahs head Down Under, tries fly, and seeing as they are playing a team who piled on half a century on their own last week, we’ll be backing the overs to hit here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Over total match points.</p>

<h2>Warriors vs Cowboys Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, May 3, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off: </strong>5:30pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.</p>