Both refreshed off a bye, the Cowboys and One New Zealand Warriors will be out to continue their recent run of form when they meet in Townsville tonight (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).
Having both strung together consecutive wins after struggling to put teams away earlier in the year, the two sides will be desperate to keep in touch of the top eight as they approach entering the second half of the season.
Following their round 13 bye the Warriors welcome back six frontline stars who bring more than 800 games of NRL experience.
The Cowboys, after orchestrating an impressive victory over the Roosters on Sunday, could have their depth tested once again with six of their stars featuring in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night.
Having now made it three straight, coach Todd Payten will be desperate to continue on their upward trajectory but they face a tough task against a Warriors side which welcomes back New South Wales Origin squad member Mitch Barnett.
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
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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:
Team news
Cowboys: Murray Taulagi (shoulder) and Reece Robson (neck) were ruled out on Friday morning by the Cowboys, with a decision to be made on their other Origin stars to come closer to kick-off. Like Taulagi and Robson, Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai all played 80 minutes in Wednesday's Origin opener while Reuben Cotter played 69 minutes in the middle. The quartet remains in the mix to play after remaining in the 19 at the 24-hour countdown. Jordan McLean was ruled out on Friday night with a calf injury, with Tom Duffy and Tom Chester dropping out of the extended squad. Jason Taumalolo is set to start at prop in McLean's place.
One New Zealand Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster confirmed on Wednesday that fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (illness), hooker Wayde Egan (head knock), centre Rocco Berry (hand), prop Addin Fonua-Blake (stood down) and back-rowers Kurt Capewell (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) are all likely to return in a huge boost for the side. There were no changes on Friday night, with the contingent set to take their place in the team on Saturday evening. Freddy Lussick and fullback Taine Tuaupiki remain in the extended squad as 18th and 19th man.
Stat attack
- The Cowboys have scored 88 points in their past three games.
- The One New Zealand Warriors have won five of their past seven games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys second rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored five tries in his past three games at QCB Stadium.
- Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has scored four tries in three games at QCB Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
