North Queensland Toyota Cowboys under-20s coach Aaron Payne has made several injury-forced changes ahead of Thursday’s round 3 match against the Roosters at 1300SMILES Stadium.
While Payne’s boys were impressive in dismantling the Eels 34-12 in round 2, the win – the team’s first for the season – came at a cost, with back-up hooker Reuben Cotter (knee) and centre Bacho Salam (ankle) incurring injuries that will see them miss the Roosters match.
Cotter will be out for the season after rupturing his ACL, while Salam is expected to miss several weeks of football.
Winger Nathan Traill moves into the centres as Gideon Gela-Mosby returns to the side after missing the Eels game.
On the bench, Calum Gahan returns following Cotter’s injury, while the versatile Mitchell Dunn is back on the bench after a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season.
Duarne Dempsey has been named on an extended bench with Emry Pere left out of the side.
The young Cowboys are now one win and one loss from their opening two games.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NYC v Sydney Roosters NYC
4.05pm local, Thursday 17 March, 1300SMILES Stadium
Tickets: cowboys.com.au/tickets
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Gideon Gela-Mosby
3. Nathan Traill
4. Enari Tuala
5. Marcus Jensen
6. Ty Carucci
7. Cooper Bambling
8. Darryn Schonig
9. Brandon Smith
10. Nick Brown
11. Coen Hess
12. Cody Grills
13. Jordan Kenworthy
14. Calum Gahan
15. Mitchell Dunn
16. Ross Bella
17. Jack Lote
18. Duarne Dempsey
Coach: Aaron Payne
