Cowboys v Wests Tigers: Dearden, Nanai big ins; Turuva set for return
The Cowboys have had an extra week to marinate in their Round 23 shock loss to the Eels and can ill afford to take this week's opposition Wests Tigers lightly.
North Queensland's finals fate still remains in their own hands despite their poor 32-30 loss, but with challenging teams riding up their spurs for a finals berth, they need to win to secure their top eight spot.
Wests Tigers produced arguably the upset of the season last week with their thrilling 25-24 win over the Roosters, an uplifting win for a side that had to that point suffered eight straight defeats.
Benji Marshall and his side will be enjoying the role they can play in shaping the make up for the top eight and would love nothing more than to upset another finals contender who they beat convincingly 44-16 in Round 2.
Match: Cowboys v Wests Tigers
Round 26 -
home Team
Cowboys
8th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: The Cowboys welcome back skipper Tom Dearden for the crucial clash against Wests Tigers. Dearden has missed four games with an ankle injury. Jaxon Purdue moves to centre and Zac Laybutt goes to the wing to replace Murray Taulagi, who suffered a concussion at training last week and is facing an indefinite stint on the sidelines. A further boost for Todd Payten with star back-rower Jeremiah Nanai returning from a hamstring injury so Kai O'Donnell goes to the bench.
Wests Tigers: Alex Seyfarth lines up at lock with Alex Twal out with concussion. Terrell May is back in the starting side at prop. Sunia Turuva has been named on the bench after missing last week's game with a knee injury while Ethan Roberts has also been added to the bench. Faaletino Tavana drops to the reserves.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon BurnsWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Junior Tupou
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomone Saukuru
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom ChesterCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Patrick Herbert
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac LaybuttWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock Madden
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Griffin NeameProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Tony Sukkar
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni LukeInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Heath Mason
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sione Fainu
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 John BatemanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Ethan Roberts
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Bunty Afoa
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'DonnellInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tristan Hope
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan KingInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Sunia Turuva
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kaiden LahrsReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Faaletino Tavana
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Mason KiraReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Charlie Murray
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Liam SuttonReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Vaka Aho
Cowboys Ins
- Jeremiah Nanai
- Kaiden Lahrs
- Liam Sutton
- Mason Kira
- Tom Dearden
Wests Tigers Ins
- Charlie Murray
- Ethan Roberts
- Sunia Turuva
- Vaka Aho
Cowboys Outs
- Murray Taulagi
- Sam McIntyre
Wests Tigers Ins
- Alex Twal
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won five of their last six games against the Tigers.
- The Tigers have conceded 148 points in their last three games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- Tigers prop Fonua Pole will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Cowboys right winger Braidon Burns has scored eight tries in his last nine games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
