Sea Eagles v Cowboys: Koula, Haumole named; Origin trio set to play
With losses in three of their last five games, the Sea Eagles have dropped out of the top four and will be out to steady the ship in front of their loyal fans on Sunday afternoon.
The loss of five-eighth Luke Brooks to a season-ending knee injury will take some adjustment for Manly as young gun Joey Walsh gets used to the week-to-week grind of the NRL.
The Cowboys put an end to a three-game losing streak by taking the Panthers in Round 17 to ensure club legend Jason Taumalolo celebrated his 300th game in style.
Sitting equal with Manly and Souths on 22 competition points but with an inferior points differential, the Cowboys can take a big step towards finals footy by leapfrogging Kieran Foran's men on Sunday ahead of two Queensland derbies against the Dolphins and Broncos.
Match: Sea Eagles v Cowboys
Round 19 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
9th Position
away Team
Cowboys
8th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Team News
Sea Eagles: A couple of late changes for Manly with Simione Laiafi coming into the starting side and Kobe Hetherington shifting to the bench. Young hooker Nicholas Lenaz has also come on to the six-man bench in place of Aaron Schoupp. Tolu Koula played 41 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's Origin clash and will back up at centre for Manly on Sunday afternoon. The NSW talent replaces Clayton Faulalo, who injured his hamstring last week. Haumole Olakau'atu was not used by NSW coach Laurie Daley in the decider and will take his place in the Sea Eagles starting side.
Cowboys: No late changes for the Cowboys, who will line up 1-19. Tom Dearden has been ruled out of playing his first game since injuring his ankle in Round 10, with coach Todd Payten saying he was another week away. "Tom is not fit to play this weekend," said Payten on Friday. "He's probably two full training sessions short of being right to play. He'll get a full week of training next week, with the plan to play against the Dolphins." Skipper Reuben Cotter, back-rower Jeremiah Nanai and winger Murray Taulagi have all been named to back up from Origin III, with coach Todd Payten preparing for the trio to play on Sunday. "The intention is for them all to play," Payten said.
Match: Sea Eagles v Cowboys
Round 19 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joey WalshFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jaxon Purdue
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Thomas Mikaele
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 17 Simione LaiafiProp for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Corey WaddellInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan BrownInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Cowboys is number 19 John Bateman
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh FeledyReserve for Cowboys is number 16 Matthew Lodge
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Nicholas LenazReserve for Cowboys is number 18 Sam McIntyre
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won eight of their last 10 games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have scored only four tries in their last three games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored six tries in his last four games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai requires one try for 50 NRL tries.
- The Sea Eagles will be aiming for their 1,000th victory since entering the premiership in 1947.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Sunday afternoon at 4 Pines Park is the hottest ticket in town. Don't miss a second of the action and secure your seats before they sell out.
