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Cowboys v Warriors: Luki returns, Chester, Shibasaki come in; Tuaupiki to debut

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pan66.com
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Both the Cowboys and Warriors have key changes to their 17 when meet in Round 3, with each looking to pick up their second win of the season following last-up defeats. 

North Queensland will be hurting from last week's derby loss to the Broncos, which also saw them lose Scott Drinkwater (three games) and Peta Hiku (two matches) to suspension. 

The Warriors meanwhile were left to rue poor execution in the final quarter of their 20-12 loss to the Roosters on Saturday, after they had battled on valiantly in the face of losing Jackson Ford (head knock), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (head knock) and Josh Curran (hip).

The Warriors were one of the six clubs who tasted victory against the Cowboys last year when they beat them in a 'home' game at Kayo Stadium in Round 5, but they haven't won in either of their two visits to Queensland Country Back Stadium so far.

The two clubs have been well matched in recent years, with each winning three times in their six meetings over the past four seasons, which included splitting the head-to-head record in 2022. 

Team News

Cowboys: Boom forward Heilum Luki will make his return from an ACL injury after being added to the interchange in place of James Tamou in the only late change ahead of kick-off. There were a couple of forced changes due to suspension, with Tom Chester coming in at fullback for his second NRL game in place of Scott Drinkwater while Gehamat Shibasaki replaces Peta Hiku in the centres. Taniela Sadrugu, Riley Price and Mitchell Dunn were omitted on Friday when the squad was trimmed to 19.

Warriors: Viliami Vailea will start in the centres in place of Brayden Williame after a late change when the squads were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off. Josh Curran (hip pointer) dropped out on Friday, his place taken by Jazz Tevaga in his first game of the season having recovered from a hernia. The absence of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion) sees Taine Tuaupiki make his NRL debut at fullback after two strong showings in NSW Cup. Back-rower Jackson Ford will also miss the game after copping a head knock last week so Bunty Afoa moves into the starting side and Bayley Sironen joins the bench. Skipper Tohu Harris plays his 200th NRL game.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Tom Chester
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
    Centre for Warriors is number 18 Viliami Vailea
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin  Fonua-Blake
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Reuben Cotter
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Coen Hess
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Mitchell Barnett
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bayley Sironen
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Heilum Luki
    Interchange for Warriors is number 22 Jazz Tevaga

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Brendan Elliot
    Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Freddy Lussick

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Nick Morel
  • Touch Judge: Darian Furner
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Across the opening two rounds the Warriors average six line breaks per game, the most in the NRL.
  • Tohu Harris has the fourth highest points per game average in NRL Fantasy this year (69.5). He plays his 200th NRL game this week.
  • The Warriors have won only one of their past six games in Townsville.
  • Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored 12 tries in his past 12 games at QCB Stadium.
  • Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored 13 tries in 11 games against the Warriors.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.