North Queensland Toyota Cowboys State of Origin stars Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai have been named to return in Friday’s clash with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Sydney.
Cotter and Nanai were rested after their heroics in Queensland’s victory over NSW last Wednesday, but will retake their respective spots at prop and second row to face Manly.
Second rowers Heilum Luki and Tom Gilbert will miss the Round 15 encounter. Luki is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL against the Dragons, while Gilbert has been ruled out for at least one game with an eye injury.
Connelly Lemuelu has been named to start his first game in the second row at NRL level. The 23-year-old switched from centre to second row in the off-season and made an immediate impression on Todd Payten and his coaching staff. Lemuelu has been impressive for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup to start the season and has appeared in each of the Cowboys previous two victories.
Friday’s game kicks off at 6pm
>>> Payten on Gilbert's injury, duo returning for Sea Eagles clash
Cowboys team to play Sea Eagles:
4. Peta Hiku
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend (c)
9. Reece Robson
10. Reuben Cotter
11. Connelly Lemuelu
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Jason Taumalolo (c)
Interchange
14. Jake Granville
15. Coen Hess
17. Griffin Neame
Reserves
18. Ben Condon
19. Brendan Elliot
20. Kane Bradley
23. Ben Hampton
24. Robert Derby
