Cowboys team list: Round 13 v Titans
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten has named Brendan Elliot to make his club debut in Thursday night’s XXXX Derby showdown with the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
Elliot will become Cowboy No.303 when he lines up on the wing against the Titans.
The 28-year-old was working as a carpenter before signing with the Cowboys in January and made an instant impression on the coaching staff.
Elliot’s inclusion on the wing sees Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow move to centre to replace Valentine Holmes, who is unavailable due to Origin duties.
Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai are also unavailable after being selected by Queensland.
Ben Hampton returns for his first NRL appearance of 2022, replacing Dearden at five-eighth.
Co-captain Jason Taumalolo returns from a knee injury at lock, with Coen Hess moving to the front-row slot vacated by Cotter.
Heilum Luki starts in the second row in place of Nanai.
Connelly Lemuelu has been named on the interchange, joining Jake Granville, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Griffin Neame.
Thursday’s game kicks off at 7.50pm.
>>> Payten on Elliot's club debut, Hampton's return & HTF's shift to centre
Cowboys team to play Titans:
4. Peta Hiku
6. Ben Hampton
7. Chad Townsend (c)
9. Reece Robson
10. Coen Hess
11. Tom Gilbert
12. Heilum Luki
13. Jason Taumalolo (c)
Interchange
14. Jake Granville
15. Connelly Lemuelu
17. Griffin Neame
Reserves
18. Ben Condon
19. Kane Bradley
20. Brendan Frei
22. Riley Price
23. Jake Bourke
