NRL 2026, Sea Eagles, Cowboys, round 19, match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Sea Eagles v Cowboys: Koula, Haumole named; Dearden nears return

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 7 Jul 2026, 06:17 PM

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.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Sunday 12 Jul

6:05 am

Sea Eagles

Cowboys

Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney

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Team News

Sea Eagles: Blues bench player Tolu Koula is set to return in the centres and take over from Clayton Faulalo, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Eels. The club's other Origin rep, Haumole Olakau'atu, has been named to back up so Corey Waddell moves to the bench.

Cowboys: Coach Todd Payten sticks with the same 19-man squad that got the job done in style against the Panthers before the bye. Skipper Reuben Cotter, back-rower Jeremiah Nanai and winger Murray Taulagi have all been named to back up from Origin Three and will be monitored as the week progresses. The big inclusion in jersey No.23 is co-captain Tom Dearden, who is nearing a return from an ankle injury suffered in Round 10 against the Eels.

Round 19 - Round 19 - Sunday 12 Jul

6:05 am

Sea Eagles

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joey Walsh

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jaxon Purdue
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Thomas Mikaele
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe Hetherington

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Corey Waddell

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan Brown

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Matthew Lodge
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Simione Laiafi

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh Feledy

Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Sam McIntyre
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Aaron Schoupp

Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 John Bateman

Reserves

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Blake Wilson

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Liam Sutton
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Fletcher Baker

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Ethan King
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Nicholas Lenaz

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Ronald Philitoga
Reserve for Cowboys is number 23 Tom Dearden

Blake Wilson
Fletcher Baker
Haumole Olakau'atu
Nicholas Lenaz
Tolutau Koula

Ethan King
Liam Sutton
Ronald Philitoga
Tom Dearden

Clayton Faulalo
Zaidas Muagututia

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 7/7/2026 9:10:36 AM

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.