A Queensland derby will be part of the round three Telstra Premiership restart with the Titans looking for their first win of the season against the Cowboys.
North Queensland split their opening two matches of the season before the hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cowboys have a relatively settled squad while rookie coach Justin Holbrook has had to deal with plenty of upheaval in the past couple of months, with centre Kallum Watkins returning to the UK and fullback AJ Brimson ruled out indefinitely with a back problem.
Match: Cowboys v Titans
Round 3 -
home Team
Cowboys
5th Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
The Rundown
Team news
Cowboys: The Cowboys will start 1-17 after Tom Gilbert and Tom Opacic were the last two dropped from the reserves list. Michael Morgan (shoulder, round seven) and Gavin Cooper (calf) are out with Jake Clifford at halfback and Mitchell Dunn in the second row. Shane Wright joins the interchange. Corey Jensen and Reuben Cotter dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. The Cowboys have won their past nine games against the Titans.
Titans: Jonus Pearson and Brian Kelly will start in the backline with Tyrone Roberts (ankle) and Anthony Don (knee) dropping out of the side. The Titans have reshuffled their backline with Tyrone Peachey and Dale Copley at centre, Phillip Sami on the wing and Jamal Fogarty debuting at halfback and Ash Taylor switching to five-eighth. Bryce Cartwright and Mitch Rein were dropped from the squad an hour before kick-off. The Titans have not won in Townsville since 2012.
Match: Cowboys v Titans
Round 3 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine HolmesFullback for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Titans is number 20 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Justin O'NeillCentre for Titans is number 3 Dale Copley
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Esan MarstersCentre for Titans is number 4 Tyrone Peachey
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Ben HamptonWinger for Titans is number 21 Jonus Pearson
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott DrinkwaterFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Ashley Taylor
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Titans is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Josh McGuireProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake GranvilleHooker for Titans is number 9 Nathan Peats
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLeanProp for Titans is number 10 Sam Lisone
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Mitchell Dunn2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Keegan Hipgrave
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reece RobsonInterchange for Titans is number 14 Erin Clark
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 John AsiataInterchange for Titans is number 15 Jai Whitbread
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Shane WrightInterchange for Titans is number 16 Jarrod Wallace
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Francis MoloInterchange for Titans is number 17 Shannon Boyd
Match Officials
- Referee: Henry Perenara
- Touch Judge: Tim Roby
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
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