North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten has named his State of Origin quartet to face the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday night.
Tom Dearden, Reece Robson, Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter will be assessed following their return to North Queensland on Thursday.
Cotter has been named in the second row, replacing John Bateman who suffered a groin injury in last weekend’s game against the Storm. Bateman is expected to be sidelined for 1-2 weeks.
Lock Sam McIntyre is set for at least a month on the sidelines after sustaining a calf injury against the Storm, with Harrison Edwards to start in the No.13 jersey.
Karl Lawton re-joins the bench after missing the last fortnight through suspension.
Winger Murray Taulagi has been named in the reserves as he attempts to return from a calf injury.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 7.35pm
>>> Payten gives update on injured duo
Cowboys team to play Bulldogs:
2. Rob Derby
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Zac Laybutt
7. Tom Dearden (c)
9. Reece Robson
10. Griffin Neame
11. Reuben Cotter (c)
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Harrison Edwards
Interchange
14. Karl Lawton
15. Tom Mikaele
16. Kai O’Donnell
17. Coen Hess
Reserves
18. Ryan Rivett
19. Temple Kalepo
20. Kaiden Lahrs
21. Dane Aukafolau
22. Murray Taulagi
23. Emarly Bitungane
24. Jaxson Paulo
