North Queensland Toyota Cowboys head coach Paul Green has named an unchanged 17 for Friday’s night’s XXXX Derby showdown with the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
The only change to Green’s 21-man squad comes on the reserves with prop Corey Jensen replacing winger Gideon Gela-Mosby.
Jensen made a successful return from an ankle injury for Cowboys feeder club the Townsville Blackhawks last weekend.
Jason Taumalolo has again been named at lock after starting at second-row during his record-breaking performance in Round 1 and is joined in the back row by Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess with Josh McGuire named on the interchange.
Former Broncos McGuire, Tom Opacic and Jordan Kahu will return to Brisbane for the first time as Cowboys.
The Cowboys are current holders of the XXXX Derby trophy courtesy of a thrilling 34-30 victory at 1300SMILES Stadium in Round 22 last season.
Friday’s game kicks off at 6.55pm (AEST).
Cowboys team to play Broncos:
1. Jordan Kahu
2. Nene Macdonald
3. Justin O’Neill
4. Tom Opacic
5. Javid Bowen
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Michael Morgan (C)
8. Matt Scott
9. Jake Granville
10. Jordan McLean
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. John Asiata
15. Josh McGuire
16. Mitch Dunn
17. Francis Molo
Reserves
18. Ben Hampton
19. Jake Clifford
20. Corey Jensen
23. Enari Tuala
