Cowboys v Eels: Taumalolo to break record; Da Silva steps up
The Cowboys have won three of four at home in 2026 and their fans will again be out in force on Friday night as they welcome the Eels to Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
These two sides bring very different form lines to the table with the Cowboys having won six of their past seven while the Eels have lost five of their past six against the backdrop of a horror injury toll.
With threats across the backline and a powerhouse pack led by Jason Taumalolo, the Cowboys have all the pieces in place for a return to finals footy in 2026 after missing out last year.
The Eels have wins over the Broncos and Bulldogs to their name but they are leaking 35 points per game and lead the NRL for missed tackles.
Any defensive lapses by the Eels will be ruthlessly exposed by the likes of Scott Drinkwater, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden and Heilum Luki and the home fans could be in for a real treat.
Match: Cowboys v Eels
Round 10 -
home Team
Cowboys
7th Position
away Team
Eels
14th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: A couple of late changes for the Cowboys with Tom Mikaele coming into the starting side and Coen Hess shifting to the bench. Robert Derby has also been added to the six-man bench, Xavier Kerrisk dropping out of the squad. Jason Taumalolo will become the most capped Cowboy when he runs out for game No.295, surpassing former skipper Johnathan Thurston. Sam McIntyre has been added to the starting side after Jeremiah Nanai re-injured his shoulder, with the Samoan star facing another month on the sidelines. Kai O'Donnell joined the 19-man squad at the 24-hour update at the expense of Mason Barber.
Eels: One late change for Parramatta, with Charlie Guymer coming into the starting side in the front row and Junior Paulo reverting to the interchange. More injury woes for the Eels, with Ryley Smith (sternum) and Will Penisini (Osteitis Pubis) ruled out of Friday's clash in Townsville. Tallyn Da Silva will start at hooker, while Jordan Samrani steps into the centres. Emerging playmaker Jonah Pezet made a successful return from injury in reserve grade last week but picked up a one-game suspension for a hip-drop and was unavailable for selection. That will see Ronald Volkman continue his partnership with representative halfback Mitchell Moses. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta and Araz Nanva were omitted in the 24-hour update.
Match: Cowboys v Eels
Round 10 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Eels is number 1 Joash Papalii
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon BurnsWinger for Eels is number 2 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Eels is number 3 Jordan Samrani
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom ChesterCentre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac LaybuttWinger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald Volkman
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Eels is number 8 Luca Moretti
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Eels is number 9 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas MikaeleProp for Eels is number 17 Charlie Guymer
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Eels is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 8 Coen HessInterchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni LukeInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin NeameInterchange for Eels is number 15 Saxon Pryke
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Matthew LodgeInterchange for Eels is number 16 Toni Mataele
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'DonnellReserve for Eels is number 18 Apa Twidle
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Robert DerbyReserve for Eels is number 19 Teancum Brown
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won five of their last seven games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- The Eels have won six of their last eight games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his last five games.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 13 tries in his last 11 games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys prop Jason Taumalolo will break Johnathan Thurston’s all-time club appearance record.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
