Incumbent Queensland and Australian No.13 Josh McGuire has been named to replace injured superstar Jason Taumalolo at lock for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Round 3 showdown with the Cronulla Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
McGuire’s shift to lock is one of a number of changes made by head coach Paul Green with Ben Hampton, Jake Clifford and Corey Jensen all named to make their first NRL appearances of 2019.
Clifford will partner skipper Michael Morgan in the halves, with Te Maire Martin moving to fullback.
Jordan Kahu shifts from fullback to form a new centre pairing with Hampton, while Jensen has been named on the interchange.
Coen Hess returns to the starting side after moving to the bench in Round 2 and will partner Gavin Cooper in the second row.
Second-rower Shane Wright and teenage middle forward Peter Hola make their first appearances in Green’s 21-man squad for 2019, named in the reserves alongside centres Justin O’Neill and Enari Tuala.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 4.30pm (AEST).
Cowboys team to play Sharks:
1. Te Maire Martin
2. Nene Macdonald
3. Jordan Kahu
4. Ben Hampton
5. Javid Bowen
6. Jake Clifford
7. Michael Morgan (C)
8. Matt Scott
9. Jake Granville
10. Jordan McLean
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Josh McGuire
Interchange
14. John Asiata
15. Corey Jensen
16. Mitch Dunn
17. Francis Molo
Reserves
18. Shane Wright
19. Justin O’Neill
20. Peter Hola
21. Enari Tuala
