Coen Hess will get a chance in the starting line up following Jason Taumalolo

YOUNG giant Coen Hess will get a chance in the starting line up against Manly following Jason Taumalolo’s suspension.

COEN Hess will bring some much-needed size to North Queensland’s pack, after the monster forward was handed a starting spot for the clash with Manly.

Cowboys coach Paul Green confirmed Hess would be promoted from the bench to help the team’s depleted forward pack tonight, with backrower Ethan Lowe to move to lock in place of a suspended Jason Taumalolo.

With veteran prop Matt Scott also ruled out for the season, the Cowboys needed more big bodies on the field and it appears Hess is one answer.

Hess has been one of the Cowboys best in the first two rounds.

Fellow forward Scott Bolton, who joined the starting line-up this year in place of James Tamou (Penrith), backed 111kg Hess to handle the challenge but said all the forwards need to step up.

“(Hess) is a big, big human so I’m sure he’ll cause some dramas out there, running off (Michael Morgan),” Bolton said.

“He played pretty big minutes against the Broncos, which was a high quality game. He will draw from that game and will get better week to week.

“The two blokes we’re missing this week are in key positions for us. There’s not one person that will ever replace those two. It has to be a real team effort from our pack.’’

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With Hess starting, former Raider Shaun Fensom will make his Cowboys debut from the bench.

Green confirmed that Fensom would shed his 18th man tag to add some experience to the interchange, which also includes Sam Hoare, John Asiata and Ben Hampton.

In other changes to the usual 17, Kalyn Ponga will play at fullback for Lachlan Coote (calf) while Javid Bowen comes in for Antonio Winterstein (arm).

With Taumalolo also set to miss next week’s derby with the Titans for his shoulder charge suspension, Green said he would be relying on everyone to continue his side’s winning form.

“They’re all leading players in our team, obviously good players,’’ Green said. “It’s just about everyone doing their job well.’’

Originally published as Coen Hess will get a chance in the starting line up following Jason Taumalolo