The Warriors "host" North Queensland on the Central Coast after falling to earth with a thud last round.
Having earned praise for their 18-0 shutout of St George Illawarra a week earlier, the New Zealand club failed to trouble the scorers in a 26-point loss to Penrith last Friday.
The Cowboys were also given a reality check of sorts, producing an error-riddled display in a defeat to Cronulla after thrashing the Titans in round three.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
The Rundown
Team News
Warriors: Peta Hiku will start at centre for Hayze Perham with Angatius Paasi dropping out of the reserves list on Thursday. Lachlan Burr replaces Isaiah Papali'i in the starting pack in the Warriors' other change. Papali'i and Chanel Harris-Tavita were omitted an hour before kick-off. The Warriors have won only two of their past 13 games against the Cowboys in Australia.
Cowboys: The Cowboys announced on Thursday that Jason Taumalolo would be part of the team to face the Warriors. The Tonga representative missed round four due to bone bruising on his knee. Taumalolo will play lock with Josh McGuire shifting to prop and Francis Molo going to the bench. Ben Hampton, Jake Granville and John Asiata are out, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow debuting on the wing, Reece Robson at hooker, Coen Hess in the second row and Gavin Cooper moving to the bench.
Reuben Cotter joins the interchange. Corey Jensen and Peter Hola were omitted from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off and Shane Wright and Tom Opacic were cut an hour before game time. Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored nine tries in six games against the Warriors.
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Patrick HerbertWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Gerard BealeCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Justin O'Neill
-
Centre for Warriors is number 20 Peta HikuCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Esan Marsters
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Adam PompeyWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake GreenHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lachlan BurrProp for Cowboys is number 13 Josh McGuire
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Mitchell Dunn
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Adam BlairLock for Cowboys is number 20 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Karl LawtonInterchange for Cowboys is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Poasa FaamausiliInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reuben Cotter
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 King VuniyayawaInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tom Gilbert
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jack MurchieInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Gavin Cooper
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Tim Roby
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Key Match-Up
It's always exciting when two top-line fullbacks clash, and we're in for a treat with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck up against Valentine Holmes. Warriors captain RTS is a model of consistency, while Holmes has shown glimpses of his brilliant best upon returning to the NRL.
