Revealed: Which Cowboys will back up from State of Origin

Todd Payten has unveiled his plan for Saturday evening’s game against the Warriors with four Origin stars expected to back up. Find out who has recovered in time and who will miss out.

Tom Dearden will back up from Wednesday night’s Origin performance. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Four of North Queensland’s State of Origin stars will back up from Wednesday night’s blockbuster when the Cowboys host the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday evening.

Reuben Cotter, Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai are all expected to come into the matchday squad while Murray Taulagi (shoulder) and Reece Robson (neck) will be rested.

Jordan McLean has also been ruled out with a calf injury, shifting Jason Taumalolo into the starting side.

Tom Chester and Tom Duffy both dropped out of the squad on Friday afternoon when Todd Payten reduced his squad to 19.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten revealed his intentions on Friday morning.

“We’re going to be without Murray Taulagi with a shoulder complaint and then Reece Robson has got a neck issue so those two won’t be backing up,” Payten said.

“We could have needled Muzz (Taulagi) up and rolled him out but three days after a big game, I don’t think that’s great for his long-term health. He’ll get a few days’ rest, he’s in no doubt to miss the following game.

Jeremiah Nanai of the Maroons is tackled by Jarome Luai and Angus Crichton. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“Same with Robbo, he plays in the middle of the park, 50 tackles or 48 or whatever it was, he’s really important for us and we just need to do the right thing for those players.”

The return of four key players could see Jaxon Purdue and Jake Clifford drop out of the side while Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Tom Mikaele shift back to the interchange – sending Harry Edwards and Jamal Shibasaki out of the 17.

Valentine Holmes is tackled during game one of the 2024 Men's State of Origin Series. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A biceps injury to Jake Granville will mean Cowboys utility Sam McIntyre will be expected to play a big shift at hooker – potentially 80 minutes in the middle.

Payten had a simple message to his new Mr. Fix-it.

“Pass the ball off the deck, win his tackles. He doesn’t have to be anyone else, just (provide) good service,” Payten said.

Reuben Cotter is tackled during game one of the 2024 Men's State of Origin Series. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Cowboys mentor said his entire squad would get a lift from watching their teammates play on rugby league’s grandest stage and seeing herculean Origin efforts like Robson’s two try-savers on Nanai and Holmes.

“I dare say (the try-savers) will get mentioned at some stage whether it’s in the change rooms, theatrette or training pitch, so it’s good banter,” Payten said.

“My experience is players come back from that whole experience much more confident. I’ve got to be honest, Queensland has won the last couple so we’ve got a larger maroons contingent who come back on top of the world.

“The first couple of weeks everyone’s high on emotion and then it’s probably three or four weeks after that they’re a little bit flat physically and mentally. It also gives the rest of the squad a great lift around seeing our guys do really well, so it’s a good thing for our club.”

The Cowboys play the Warriors at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, kick-off is at 5.30pm.

Originally published as Revealed: Which Cowboys will back up from State of Origin