Manly coach Des Hasler could well make a career as a boxing promoter if his attempts to talk up Saturday's mismatch with second-last North Queensland is any indication.

Renowned for keeping a lid on any hype of his Sea Eagles outfit, Hasler tried to ease expectations of a try-fest over the Cowboys by giving Saturday's opponents a glowing endorsement.

North Queensland are running 15th, on a three-match losing streak, without four of their most influential players and coach Graham Murray could very well be in charge of his final game for the club.

But despite all this, Hasler is adamant the Cowboys are "a very capable side that can cause any side grief".

"We have to make sure that we don't get to the stage where we under-estimate a side," said Hasler.

"I tell you, even though (Johnathan) Thurston is not there, (Matt) Bowen is not there, (Jacob) Lillyman is not there and (Carl) Webb is not there, they're still a very, very strong side.

"With (Aaron) Payne, (Luke) O'Donnell, (Shane) Tronc, (Steve) Southern and (Daniel) Abraham, who I have always thought is an under-estimated player, they have a very good forward pack.

"And if you look at their back five it would be one of the quickest in the competition with (Ashley) Graham, (Mark) Henry, (John) Williams, (Ben) Farrar and (Ben) Harris.

"Mate I'm telling you, you wouldn't call it a weakened side. You still call it a very experienced side.

"Have you seen much of (halfback Anthony) Watts play? Oh mate, he is very quick and lively and confident. He's got a good step off both feet.

"They will throw a lot of questions at us tomorrow so we need to be mindful of that."

While Hasler's views could easily be dismissed as a coach trying to promote the club's `away' game at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium or an attempt to reduce pressure on his own side, there are valid points to note.

Firstly, of Manly's six regular season losses in 2007, one was against North Queensland (30-26) while at least another three were genuine out-of-the-blue upsets where complacency cost them dearly.

Secondly, the Cowboys forwards are vastly superior now than the side which Manly completely dismantled in their 28-6 preliminary final win last year.

Former Test lock O'Donnell, plus big boppers Tronc and Southern missed last year's game with injury and add plenty of starch to the Cowboys side.

And Manly are missing a few of their own stars with NSW fullback Brett Stewart on rep duty and prop Jason King (ankle), centre Steven Bell (elbow) and backrower Anthony Watmough (ankle) all sidelined with injury.

The Sea Eagles however still boast more starpower, particularly with snubbed Origin hopefuls Matt Orford, Jamie Lyon and Test prop Brent Kite out to prove selectors wrong.

Hasler says his side must put the pressure on the Cowboys early tomorrow and then look to running riot around the ruck as they did in the grand final qualifier last year.

"Our starts have been a bit ordinary, we need to be conscious of the starts," he said.

"There are options in their middle third that you can take, but a smart football side assesses that on the night and when the opportunity presents itself you take it."

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