North Queensland Toyota Cowboys head coach Paul Green has made several changes to his team for Saturday’s Round 3 National Rugby League match against the Manly Sea Eagles at 1300SMILES Stadium.
With injuries to co-captain Matt Scott (knee), winger Antonio Winterstein (arm) and Lachlan Coote (calf), Green has reshuffled his lineup.
Young forward Patrick Kaufusi has been named to partner Scott Bolton in the front row.
The 23-year-old Elite Pathways product will line up for his 16th NRL match on Saturday night.
Under-20s player Kalyn Ponga will replace Coote at the back for his third NRL appearance, while Javid Bowen returns to the team, taking Winterstein’s place on the left wing.
Green’s 21-man squad also includes young prop Sam Hoare, new recruits Shaun Fensom and Corey Jensen, plus Ingham product Ben Spina.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles
Round 3, 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership
8pm, Saturday 18 March, 1300SMILES Stadium
Tickets: cowboys.com.au/tickets
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Justin O’Neill
4. Kane Linnett
5. Javid Bowen
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
14. Ben Hampton
15. John Asiata
16. Coen Hess
17. Sam Hoare
18. Shaun Fensom
19. Gideon Gela-Mosby
20. Corey Jensen
21. Ben Spina
Coach: Paul Green