Head coach Paul Green has named his final 17 for tonight’s Round 24 National Rugby League clash with the Cronulla Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium.
Skipper Gavin Cooper (calf) and winger Antonio Winterstein (hamstring) were earlier this week ruled out of the match with injury, as was back-rower Shaun Fensom (knee) and centre Justin O’Neill (elbow).
Also omitted from the side is Lachlan Coote (ankle), with Ben Hampton to start at fullback, while youngsters Enari Tuala and Shane Wright will make their NRL debuts off the interchange bench.
Wright, 21, gets his chance after strong showings for the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup, while Tuala, 18, has been promoted straight from Aaron Payne’s Under-20s team.
Sam Hoare moves out of the 17 that was named on Tuesday.
The Cowboys are sitting eighth on the National Rugby League ladder with 12 wins from 21 games for 28 points, two points adrift of the fourth-placed Sharks (13 wins, eight losses).
The game kicks off at 7.30pm tonight.
COWBOYS: 14. Ben Hampton, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Javid Bowen, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Kalyn Ponga, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Michael Morgan (c), 16. Corey Jensen, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Scott Bolton, 11. Coen Hess, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 8. John Asiata, 15. Patrick Mago, 20. Enari Tuala, 21. Shane Wright.
Pictured: Debutants Shane Wright (above) and Enari Tuala (below)
