Five things to know: Round 13 v Titans
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys travel to the Gold Coast on Thursday night to face the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
1. DERBY TIME
Thursday’s clash is the second XXXX Derby between the Cowboys and Titans and third overall for North Queensland, including the Round 3 victory over the Broncos. The Cowboys triumphed 30-4 over the Titans in the Round 7 encounter.
2. REGULAR FOE
This fixture will be the 29th between the Cowboys and Titans since the Gold Coast entered the competition in 2007. North Queensland lead the overall head to head match-up 17-11 and have won 12 of the previous 16 meetings.
3. NEW COWBOY
Brendan Elliot is set to become Cowboy No.303 after being named to make his club debut on Thursday night. Elliot has been named on the wing, replacing Queensland star Valentine Holmes, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moving to the centres. Elliot was working as a carpenter in Sydney before joining the Cowboys in January. The 28-year-old has appeared in 66 NRL games for the Roosters, Knights, Titans and Sea Eagles.
4. HE'S BACK
Cowboys co-captain Jason Taumalolo has been named to return from a knee injury against the Titans. Taumalolo missed the defeat to Penrith after sustaining a knee injury in the victory over Melbourne in Round 11. Jake Granville, Ben Hampton and Connelly Lemuelu also return to the side with Holmes, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Dearden on State of Origin duties.
5. PRIME TIME
Thursday’s game marks the first of two consecutive prime time games for the Cowboys. Following the Titans showdown, the Cowboys return home for a Friday night tussle with St George Illawarra at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Round 14.
