Cowboys NRL team list: Round 26 v Dolphins

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys veterans Jordan McLean and Peta Hiku will celebrate 200 NRL game milestones in Friday’s XXXX Derby clash against The Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.

Both McLean and Hiku are in their 11th seasons of top-flight rugby league, debuting for Melbourne and Manly respectively in 2013.

McLean joined the Cowboys prior to the 2018 season, while Hiku is in his second year in North Queensland.

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Jeremiah Nanai and Semi Valemei have been ruled out of Friday’s XXXX Derby.

Nanai suffered an AC joint injury in the opposite shoulder which caused him to miss a month before his return against the Sharks. A decision on Nanai’s availability for the Round 27 fixture against the Panthers will be made early next week.

Valemei sustained a meniscus injury early in the Sharks showdown and is considered week to week.

Zac Laybutt returns at centre for his third game at NRL level, with Murray Taulagi reverting to the wing. Laybutt made his debut in Round 13 and also appeared in the victory over the Panthers in Round 16.

Heilum Luki returns to the starting side to replace Nanai in the second-row, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki re-joining the interchange.

Friday’s game kicks off at 8pm.