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Cowboys v Warriors: Origin duo ruled out; Big guns return

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Both refreshed off a bye, the Cowboys and Warriors will be looking to continue their recent run of form when they meet in Townsville on Saturday. 

Having both strung together consecutive wins after struggling to put teams away earlier in the year, the two sides will be desperate to keep in touch of the top eight as they approach the second half of the season.

Following a Round 13 bye the Warriors welcome back six frontline stars who bring over 800 games of NRL experience.

Meanwhile, after orchestrating an impressive victory over the Roosters on Sunday, North Queensland's depth could once again be tested with six of their stars featuring in the State of Origin series opener three days earlier. 

Having now made it three straight, coach Todd Payten will be desperate to continue on their upward trajectory, however face a tough task against a Warriors side who welcome back their only Origin representative Mitch Barnett from camp ahead of the clash.

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Team News

Cowboys:

Murray Taulagi (shoulder) and Reece Robson (neck) were ruled out on Friday morning by the Cowboys, but the club's other Origin players have been named play. Valentine Holmes replaces Jaxson Purdue in the centres, while Tom Dearden will start at five-eighth and Reuben Cotter at prop. Strike second-rower Jeremiah Nanai will play from the interchange bench. Jordan McLean was also ruled out on Friday night with a calf injury. Purdue joins Nanai, Jason Taumalolo and Sam McIntyre on the bench, with Jake Clifford the 18th man.

Warriors:

Coach Andrew Webster confirmed on Wednesday that fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (illness), hooker Wayde Egan (head knock), centre Rocco Berry (hand), prop Addin Fonua-Blake (stood down) and back-rowers Kurt Capewell (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) would return in a huge boost for the side. Harris will make his return from the interchange in a late swap with Dylan Walker, who starts at lock. Freddy Lussick joins Harris, Capewell and Jazz Tevaga on the bench, with fullback Taine Tuaupiki named as 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin  Watene-Zelezniak
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 19 Valentine Holmes
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon Burns
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 21 Tom Dearden
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita 
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin Neame
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake 
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 24 Reuben Cotter
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Thomas Mikaele
    Lock for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
    Interchange for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 9 Sam McIntyre
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jazz Tevaga
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jason Taumalolo
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kurt Capewell
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 23 Jeremiah Nanai
    Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Freddy Lussick

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
    Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Cowboys have scored 88 points in their past three games.
  • The Warriors have won five of their past seven games against the Cowboys.
  • Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored five tries in his past three games at QCB
    Stadium.
  • Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has scored four tries in three games at QCB Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

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