Late mail: Purdue to make NRL debut v Roosters

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Todd Payten has been forced to make a late change to his side for this afternoon's clash with the Sydney Roosters in Sydney.

Tom Chester (hamstring) has been ruled out, with 18-year-old North Queensland product Jaxon Purdue called into the starting side to make his NRL debut. 

Purdue, who graduated from St Patrick’s College Mackay in 2023, was promoted to the Cowboys’ NRL squad earlier this season.

The Norths Devils Mackay junior graduated to Queensland Cup in recent rounds after a standout Mal Meninga Cup season with the Mackay Cutters.

>>> Payten: It's a lifelong dream to play for his childhood club

Cowboys team to play Roosters:

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Kyle Feldt

22. Jaxon Purdue

4. Viliami Vailea

5. Braidon Burns

6. Jake Clifford

7. Chad Townsend (c)

8. Jordan McLean

9. Jake Granville

10. Griffin Neame

11. Heilum Luki

12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

13. Tom Mikaele

Interchange

14. Sam McIntyre

15. Harrison Edwards

16. Jamal Shibasaki

17. Jason Taumalolo

18th man

19. Tom Duffy