Cowboys v Sharks: Nanai returns; McInnes back on deck
Star halfbacks Tom Dearden and Nicho Hynes are set for an attacking duel when the Cowboys host Cronulla on Friday night.
North Queensland are desperate to bounce back from a heavy loss to the Sea Eagles last week and their No.7 will be instrumental to their chances.
With exciting attacking talent out wide, Dearden holds the keys to unlocking Jaxon Purdue, Scott Drinkwater and Braidon Burns.
A forward pack led by Jason Taumalolo will look to lead the platform up front, with the prop set to go face to face with his Tongan teammate Addin Fonua-Blake.
The Sharks are well-rested after last week's bye and have had two weeks to stew on a disappointing loss to the Roosters in Perth.
Hynes and five-eighth Braydon Trindall have been instrumental in the team's early success this year and will look to pull off another victory on the road.
The halfback requires just six points to become the fourth player to score 800 points for the Sharks and will join Steve Rogers, Mat Rogers and Luke Covell if he reaches the milestone.
Hooker Blayke Brailey has another chance to press his NSW Origin claims, while emerging talent Jesse Colquhoun has taken on a growing role for the Sharks.
Match: Cowboys v Sharks
Round 8 -
home Team
Cowboys
11th Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: Star winger Murray Taulagi, hooker Reed Mahoney and back-rower Jeremiah Nanai are all back on deck this Friday as North Queensland look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Manly. Nanai will make his first appearance of the year after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery in a big boost for Todd Payten. Taulagi and Mahoney suffered head knocks in the Round 6 win over Brisbane and sat out Round 7. Taulagi’s return sees Zac Laybutt shift to the reserves, while Mahoney slots straight into the No.9 jersey and Soni Luke moves to the interchange.
Sharks: A huge boost for the Sharks with captain Cam McInnes named to return ahead of schedule from an ACL injury. McInnes' last game was Round 24 last year against the Titans. Siosifa Talakai moves into the starting side at centre, Mawene Hiroti shifts to the wing and Sione Katoa drops to the reserves. The new faces on the six-man bench are Hohepa Puru and Tukupa-Ke Hau Tapuha.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon BurnsWinger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Sharks is number 3 Siosifa Talakai
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom ChesterCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel Stonestreet
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen HessProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni LukeInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Briton Nikora
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Matthew LodgeInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Kai O'DonnellInterchange for Sharks is number 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Zac LaybuttReserve for Sharks is number 20 Riley Jones
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Kaiden LahrsReserve for Sharks is number 21 Riley Pollard
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Robert DerbyReserve for Sharks is number 22 Sione Katoa
Cowboys Ins
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Kaiden Lahrs
- Murray Taulagi
- Reed Mahoney
- Robert Derby
Sharks Ins
- Cameron McInnes
- Hohepa Puru
- Riley Pollard
- Tuku Hau Tapuha
Cowboys Outs
- Harrison Edwards
- Viliami Vailea
Sharks Ins
- Jayden Berrell
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have defeated the Sharks only once in six clashes at QCB Stadium.
- The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored six tries in his last eight games at QCB Stadium
- Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires six points to reach 800 points for the club.
- The Cowboys have conceded 69 points in their last two games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
