Star North Queensland Toyota Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai is set to make his long-awaited return from shoulder surgery in Friday’s Anzac Round showdown against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Nanai underwent a shoulder reconstruction after suffering an injury playing for Samoa in the Pacific Championships in November.
Friday’s game will mark Nanai’s first appearance of 2026, with the 23-year-old named to start in the second row alongside fellow Cairns product Heilum Luki.
Winger Murray Taulagi and hooker Reed Mahoney have been named to return after missing last weekend’s fixture against Manly through concussion.
Their inclusion sees Zac Laybutt and Soni Luke revert to the interchange.
Friday’s game kicks off at 6pm.
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Cowboys team to play Sharks:
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Tom Chester
7. Tom Dearden (c)
8. Coen Hess
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter (c)
Interchange
14. Soni Luke
15. Sam McIntyre
16. Tom Mikaele
17. Griffin Neame
18. Matt Lodge
19. Kai O’Donnell
20. Zac Laybutt
21. Kaiden Lahrs
22. Robert Derby
