Returning North Queensland Cowboys cavalry abates Todd Payten’s NRL selection nightmare
Todd Payten has once again rung the changes in North Queensland with a pair of returning players bolstering a team decimated by injuries. Read the latest team news from Cowboys HQ.
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Todd Payten has once again rung the changes in North Queensland with a pair of returning players bolstering the team named to take on St George on Friday night.
The return of rookie half Tom Duffy and veteran backrower John Bateman have countered some of the challenges created by more injury carnage, but their additions also create more instability in a team fighting for consistency.
With Murray Taulagi (hamstring) and Tom Mikaele (MCL) ruled out due to injuries sustained against the Dolphins, Payten is expected to roll out his sixth variation to his halves pairing of the season.
While Duffy and Tom Dearden were the Cowboys’ halves in round 1, the latter’s switch back to his familiar right side of the field will mean another shuffle to North Queensland’s leaky edges.
Dearden said he was looking forward to seeing what Duffy would bring to the side.
“He just gets another opportunity. I think he had a bit of a quad injury the last couple of weeks, but he’s been being back at training now, and I know Duff’s got some great qualities as a playmaker, and I’m looking forward to having him back in the side,” Dearden said.
“Having Jeremiah (Nanai) there and changing sides has been good. It’s probably been a couple of disappointing weeks for us, but I know getting a few of the changes now and getting a bit of continuity has been good.
“We’ve been being a bit unlucky. And I know every club’s going through it with a few injuries and stuff, and that forces a bit of chopping and changing and a bit of swapping,
“But hopefully we can get a few of the players to stay on the field and build that continuity and that consistency.”
Bateman’s return from a groin injury shifts Reuben Cotter back to the middle of the park where he will play lock.
Cotter has played the full 80 minutes in each of his last three appearances for the Cowboys, and the 26-year-old said he was expecting another big shift this week despite moving away from the edge.
“I expect to play big minutes. However that rotation looks and whatever Toddy’s plans are, I’ll get into it,” Cotter said.
“But yeah, definitely, it’s good to be back in the middle and in a position where I’ve played most my footy. So I can’t wait.”
Cowboys NRLW star Jakiya Whitfeld has been named at fullback after missing round 3, while halfback Tahlulah Tillett holds her spot in the side after coming into the team to replace Kirra Dibb.
NRL TEAM LIST
1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Robert Derby
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Braidon Burns
6. Tom Duffy
7. Tom Dearden (c)
8. Harrison Edwards
9. Reece Robson
10. Griffin Neame
11. John Bateman
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter (c)
Interchange
14. Karl Lawton
15. Kaiden Lahrs
16. Kai O’Donnell
17. Coen Hess
Reserves
18. Jaxson Paulo
19. Nic Lenaz
20. Temple Kalepo
21. Emarly Bitungane
22. Dane Aukafolau
NRLW TEAM LIST
1. Jakiya Whitfeld
2. Krystal Blackwell
3. Abigail Roache
4. Jasmine Peters
5. Fran Goldthorp
6. Rosie Kelly
7. Tahlulah Tillett
8. Lillian Yarrow
9. Emma Manzelmann (c)
10. Makenzie Weale
11. Tallisha Harden
12. Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
13. Bree Chester
Interchange
14. Alisha Foord
15. Lily Peacock
16. Najvada George
17. Essay Banu
Reserves
18. Lily Dick
19. Ana Malupo
20. Kirra Dibb (c)
21. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
22. Tafao Asaua
Originally published as Returning North Queensland Cowboys cavalry abates Todd Payten’s NRL selection nightmare
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