Dylan Walker will start at loose forward for the third straight match in a late change to the One New Zealand Warriors’ lineup for their 14th round NRL clash against the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville tonight (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).
He is retained in the role following his outstanding performances replacing injured captain Tohu Harris in the Warriors’ last two outings.
In the 22-20 win over the Panthers he made 178 metres from 24 runs plus 30 tackles and followed it up in the 24-20 victory over the Dolphins with 122 metres from 18 runs and 38 tackles.
His retention at loose forward sees Harris on the interchange for the first time since the round 10 encounter with South Sydney in 2022 and just the second time since joining the Warriors in 2018.
Also coming onto the bench is hooker Freddy Lussick in jersey #18 with prop Tom Ale 19th man. Fullback Taine Tuaupiki is 18th man.
Match: Cowboys v Warriors
Round 14 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami VaileaCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
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Centre for Cowboys is number 19 Valentine HolmesCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Braidon BurnsWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 21 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
Forwards
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Griffin NeameProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison EdwardsHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Cowboys is number 24 Reuben CotterProp for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Thomas MikaeleLock for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueInterchange for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 9 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Jazz Tevaga
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jason TaumaloloInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Kurt Capewell
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 23 Jeremiah NanaiInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Freddy Lussick
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Tuaupiki is among the seven players back in the squad after being unavailable for the 12th-round clash against the Dolphins.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad returns to fullback with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak moving back to the wing replacing Edward Kosi while Rocco Berry, a late withdrawal for the match against the Dolphins, comes back for replacement centre Moala Graham-Taufa.
Also back are prop Addin Fonua-Blake and hooker Wayde Egan who reclaim their usual spots.
Harris and back rower Kurt Capewell, who was out for a month with a calf injury, join Lussick and Jazz Tevaga on the bench.
It was expected Shaun Johnson would also be back from his pectoral injury but he is now in line to return against Melbourne at Go Media Stadium on June 15.
The comebacks have resulted in a reshuffling of the starting pack.
For the match against the Dolphins, the Warriors used a front row of Marata Niukore, Paul Roache and Afoa, Jackson Ford and Mitchell Barnett in the second row and Walker at loose forward.
Fonua-Blake regains his spot with Niukore moving to the second row, Egan is in for the injured Roache (ankle), and regular second rower Ford is shifted to prop for Afoa with only Barnett and Walker in the same positions they filled against the Dolphins.
Both sides come into the match in the midst or form revivals.
The One New Zealand Warriors overcame multiple personnel issues and a four-match losing streak to stun three-time premier Penrith 22-20 in the Magic Round and then the fourth-placed Dolphins 24-20 in round 12 ahead of their first bye last weekend.
The Cowboys lost five games on end but have won their last three against South Sydney, the Wests Tigers and the Sydney Roosters, the last an 18-16 away win on Sunday when both sides were without multiple State of Origin players.
