While seven players are back in contention veteran halfback Shaun Johnson remains on the injured list for the One New Zealand Warriors’ 14th-round NRL encounter with North Queensland at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).\
Of the 11 players unavailable for the win over the Dolphins in the Indigenous Round, five return to the starting lineup.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad resumes his regular role at fullback with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak moving back to the wing replacing Edward Kosi while Rocco Berry, a late withdrawal for the match against the Dolphins, comes back for replacement Moala Graham-Taufa.
Prop Addin Fonua-Blake and hooker Wayde Egan reclaim their usual spots with captain Tohu Harris back from a two-game absence at loose forward.
Named on the interchange is back rower Kurt Capewell, who was out for a month with a calf injury, and fullback – and new father – Taine Tuaupiki is on the extended bench.
bench.
Match: Cowboys v Warriors
ROUND 14 –
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Warriors
TEAM LISTS
BACKS
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Warriors is number 1Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2Kyle FeldtWinger for Warriors is number 2Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3Jaxon PurdueCentre for Warriors is number 3Rocco Berry
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4Viliami VaileaCentre for Warriors is number 4Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5Braidon BurnsWinger for Warriors is number 5Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6Chanel Harris-Tavita
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7Chad TownsendHalfback for Warriors is number 7Te Maire Martin
FORWARDS
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8Jordan McLeanProp for Warriors is number 8Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9Sam McIntyreHooker for Warriors is number 9Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10Griffin NeameProp for Warriors is number 10Jackson Ford
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11Heilum Luki2nd Row for Warriors is number 11Marata Niukore
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Warriors is number 12Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13Thomas MikaeleLock for Warriors is number 13Tohu Harris
INTERCHANGE
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14Tom ChesterInterchange for Warriors is number 14Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Warriors is number 15Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16Jamal ShibasakiInterchange for Warriors is number 16Tom Ale
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17Jason TaumaloloInterchange for Warriors is number 17Kurt Capewell
RESERVES
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Replacement for Cowboys is number 18Thomas DuffyReplacement for Warriors is number 18Freddy Lussick
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19Valentine HolmesReserve for Warriors is number 20Taine Tuaupiki
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 20Murray TaulagiReserve for Warriors is number 21Bunty Afoa
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 21Tom DeardenReserve for Warriors is number 22Edward Kosi
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22Reece RobsonReserve for Warriors is number 23Moala Graham-Taufa
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 23Jeremiah Nanai
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 24Reuben Cotter
Cowboys Ins
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Murray Taulagi
- Reece Robson
- Reuben Cotter
- Tom Chester
- Tom Dearden
- Valentine Holmes
Warriors Ins
- Addin Fonua-Blake
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Kurt Capewell
- Rocco Berry
- Taine Tuaupiki
- Tohu Harris
- Wayde Egan
Cowboys Outs
- Jake Granville
Warriors Ins
- Jacob Laban
- Paul Roache
- Zyon Maiu’u
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
It was anticipated Johnson would also be back from his pectoral injury but he is now set to return for the round 15 contest against Melbourne at Go Media Stadium on June 15.
The comebacks have resulted in a major reshuffling of the starting pack.
For the match against the Dolphins, the Warriors used a front row of Marata Niukore, Paul Roache and Bunty Afoa, Jackson Ford and Mitchell Barnett in the second row and Dylan Walker at loose forward.
Fonua-Blake regains his spot with Niukore moving to the second row, Egan is in for the injured Roache (ankle), regular second rower Ford is shifted to prop for Afoa and Harris comes in for Walker with only Barnett in the same position he filled against the Dolphins.
With so many reinforcements returning, head coach Andrew Webster has been able to pair both Walker and Jazz Tevaga to provide double-edged impact off the interchange.
The first time they were used in tandem from the bench was in the corresponding away match against the Cowboys in round three last season when the Warriors won 26-12.
Both sides come into the match in the midst or form revivals.
The One New Zealand Warriors overcame multiple personnel issues and a four-match losing streak to stun three-time premier Penrith 22-20 in the Magic Round and then the fourth-placed Dolphins 24-20 in round 12 ahead of their first bye last weekend.
The Cowboys lost five games on end but have won their last three against South Sydney, the Wests Tigers and the Sydney Roosters, the last an 18-16 away win on Sunday when both sides were without multiple State of Origin players.