Jaxon Purdue has been named to make his first appearance at NRL level in the halves in Saturday evening’s clash with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Purdue will switch from centre to five-eighth with co-captain Tom Dearden shifting to halfback.
Zac Laybutt is set to make his first NRL appearance in more than a year after being named to fill the centre position vacated by Purdue.
Laybutt began the 2024 season as a first-choice centre for the Cowboys and was in terrific form before an ACL injury ended his season in Round 5.
Coen Hess will against start in the front row with Jason Taumalolo remaining sidelined with a calf injury.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 5.30pm.
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Cowboys team to play Sea Eagles:
2. Rob Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
6. Jaxon Purdue
7. Tom Dearden (c)
9. Reece Robson
10. Coen Hess
11. John Bateman
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Sam McIntyre
Interchange
14. Harrison Edwards
15. Tom Mikaele
16. Griffin Neame
17. Kai O’Donnell
Reserves
18. Jake Clifford
19. Tom Duffy
20. Semi Valemei
21. Karl Lawton
22. Kaiden Lahrs
