The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are set to welcome back lock forward Jason Taumalolo and first-choice No.1 Lachlan Coote to the team as they prepare to host the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.
Taumalalo returns to the side after serving a two-match suspension for a shoulder charge, while Coote has missed the past two matches with a calf injury.
The pair’s imminent return to the side means a couple of changes to the team that defeated the Titans 32-26 in Round 4.
Ethan Lowe shifts back to his customary edge back-row position as Taumalolo returns to the middle, while Coen Hess moves on to the interchange bench after a barnstorming, two-try display against the Gold Coast.
Sam Hoare drops out of the 17 as a result of Taumalolo’s return, while teenager Kalyn Ponga makes way for Coote at the back as debutant Gideon Gela-Mosby retains his spot on the left wing.
The Cowboys are due to return to training tomorrow after the looming threat of Cyclone Debbie brought about a a schedule reshuffle. With Townsville spared the storm’s wrath, the team will resume their preparation for Friday’s match from Wednesday.
The team will play in their 2017 ISC Marvel Captain America jerseys, as part of their Marvel Round celebrations.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Round 5, 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership
7.05pm Qld, Friday 31 March, 1300SMILES Stadium
Tickets: cowboys.com.au/tickets
1. Lachlan Coote
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Javid Bowen
4. Kane Linnett
5. Gideon Gela-Mosby
6. Michael Morgan
7. Johnathan Thurston (c)
8. Patrick Kaufusi
9. Jake Granville
10. Scott Bolton
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Ethan Lowe
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. Ben Hampton
15. John Asiata
16. Coen Hess
17. Shaun Fensom
Reserves
18. Sam Hoare
19. Kalyn Ponga
20. Corey Jensen
21. Ben Spina
