The Toyota Cowboys will field nine players with NRL experience in their squad for Saturday night’s historic pre-season trial against Townsville Blackhawks at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville.
North Queensland’s team for their first match against the Intrust Super Cup’s newcomers, who are based next door to 1300SMILES Stadium, is highlighted by the return of Scott Bolton from shoulder reconstruction surgery a week ahead of schedule.
Also in the starting lineup are Lachlan Coote and Cameron King who will back up from the weekend’s 18-6 trial victory against Brisbane in Mackay – their first on-field action since suffering ACL injuries last year.
The squad features eight Cowboys still eligible for the NYC under-20s, including second-rower Coen Hess and front-rower Braden Uele who came off the bench in the Broncos trial.
Train and triallists Cameron Cullen and Tom Humble will be the starting halves pairing after also seeing game time in the second half against Brisbane, while 2014 NYC Player of the Year Josh Chudleigh will play his first minutes as a member of the Cowboys’ NRL squad.
Cowboys NRL assistant coach David Furner will coach North Queensland this weekend.
Saturday night’s match kicks off at 6pm with admission free.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys v Townsville Blackhawks TRIAL
6pm, Saturday 14 February, Jack Manski Oval, Brothers Townsville
1 Lachlan Coote
2 Kyle Feldt
3 Javid Bowen
4 Hezron Murgha
5 Zac Santo
6 Cameron Cullen
7 Tom Humble
8 Scott Bolton
9 Cameron King
10 Sam Hoare
11 Ben Spina
12 Coen Hess
13 John Asiata
Interchange:
14 Josh Chudleigh
15 Akeripa Tia Kilifi
16 Viliame Kikau
17 Patrick Kaufusi
18 Braden Uele
19 Conor Carey
20 Cooper Bambling
21 David Munro
22 Andrew Niemoeller
