Cowboys v Warriors: Hess, 'Hammer' return; Whiz kid Walsh stays at No.1
It was a close encounter a month ago when these two sides met at Central Coast Stadium with the Warriors coming away with a 24-20 win, despite both teams scoring four tries.
The difference was Cowboys kicker Valentine Holmes missing two conversions.
This time Todd Payten coaches against his old club on his home turf at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. But both teams arrive with momentum - the Cowboys after a 16-point win over the Knights, and the Warriors with a four-point victory over the Wests Tigers.
Certainly Holmes will be doing a lot of practice with the green tee, regardless of Kodi Nikorima having a slightly off-target night last round, converting just three of six tries.
The Warriors keep flirting with the top eight - moving in and out on the same weekend - so they need to string a few victories together to make themselves more secure. So far in 2021 none of their five wins have been consecutive.
Match: Cowboys v Warriors
Round 12 -
home Team
Cowboys
7th Position
away Team
Warriors
9th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
The rundown
Team news
Cowboys: Coen Hess will come from the bench in his return from a head knock with Corey Jensen promoted to the starting side. Ben Condon was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Daejarn Asi is the 18th man.
Jason Taumalolo (suspended) and centre Connolly Lemuelu (thumb) are out but Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's return from a leg injury is a boost for Todd Payten's men.
The absence of bench forwards Lachlan Burr (suspended) and Francis Molo (head knock) opens up places on the interchange for Peter Hola and Hess with try-scoring debutant Heilum Luki retaining his spot in the 17.
Justin O'Neill and Emry Pere were the first two players cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Warriors: The Warriors will line up 1-17 with Sean O'Sullivan the last man cut and Rocco Berry 18th man.
Teen sensation Reece Walsh has retained the No.1 jersey with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck staying on the wing.
Prop Bunty Afoa and second-rower Ben Murdoch-Masila drop back to the interchange, swapping places with Kane Evans and Jack Murchie.
Taniela Otukolo and Jackson Frei were the first two cuts from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.
Back-rower Josh Curran (elbow) and prop Tom Ale (ankle) are at least another week away from returning.
The Warriors have won four of their past five games against the Cowboys.
Match: Cowboys v Warriors
Round 12 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine HolmesFullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Warriors is number 2 Marcelo Montoya
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Javid BowenCentre for Warriors is number 3 Adam Pompey
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowCentre for Warriors is number 4 Euan Aitken
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott DrinkwaterFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Tom GilbertProp for Warriors is number 8 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLeanProp for Warriors is number 10 Kane Evans
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shane Wright2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jack Murchie
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Mitchell Dunn2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 16 Corey JensenLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 13 Coen HessInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Jazz Tevaga
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Leeson Ah Mau
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Peter HolaInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Heilum LukiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Daejarn AsiReserve for Warriors is number 20 Rocco Berry
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Valentine Holmes v Roger Tuivasa-Sheck/Reece Walsh: Could there be a more beautiful sight than any of these three swerving and accelerating and stepping upfield? Since they will be the last line of defence for their teams, watching each other's feet will be key. No surprise that both Tuivasa-Sheck and Holmes are in the NRL's top five for run metres.
Stat attack
Scott Drinkwater (68) and Kodi Nikorima (64) are in the top three for engaging the line so the cunning and subtlety of these two five-eighths will go a long way to getting their teams on top. The Cowboys are also going for a fifth straight win at home this season.
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