Todd Payten backs players in for Origin, reveals late change to Cowboys team

North Queensland has made a late change to the team for Friday night while Todd Payten threw his Origin support behind Dearden and Robson. Read the latest from Cowboys HQ.

The Cowboys will welcome back the club’s most prolific tryscorer Kyle Feldt on the right wing when they face Wests Tigers on Friday night.

Feldt missed last week after jamming his ankle but has won the race to prove his fitness and bump Braidon Burns back to the Northern Pride.

The veteran winger got through both of the team’s main training sessions this week, and will be Payten’s only change to the 17 he named on Tuesday.

“Kyle (Feldt) got through Wednesday’s session and then backed it up again today (Thursday) so he’s come back in and Braidon (Burns) will drop out of the squad,” Payten confirmed.

“Anyone that’s not in our 19 will get a game this weekend back at Q Cup, which is the advantage of playing on Friday night.”

Kyle Feldt will start for the Cowboys on Friday. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

North Queensland can temporarily jump into the NRL’s top eight with a win on Friday, as surprising as that sounds, and the Cowboys are yet to have their first bye.

Payten believed Friday night’s blockbuster 2005 grand final rematch with the Tigers could serve as a telling trial for the NSW Blues hooker position.

“It could very well be, absolutely. Both of them are really good players, both of them played a part in the last few series,” Payten said.

“I’d be surprised if the team’s not decided already but whoever plays well in this occasion will do their chance no harm.”

Tigers coach Benji Marshall won a premiership alongside Payten in 2005 but the rookie coach said friendliness would be thrown to the side when he came up against his former teammate.

Benji Marshall and Todd Payten will go head to head as coaches on Friday night. Pictured at Wests Tigers training at Concord Oval in 2009. Picture: Cooper Stephen

“It’s just like any other week, the difference is we’re mates,” Marshall said.

“When it comes to game day you forget all about that stuff, we’ll catch up before the game (and) after the game but when it’s time to play – no love lost.”

Payten joined the chorus of support for Tom Dearden’s Origin selection case, saying he would be disappointed if his five-eighth missed out.

“Tom has been in our best three players every week. He got the job done last time and I’d be highly surprised if he doesn’t get the opportunity to do it again,” Payten said.

“Queensland talk about competitors and being the underdog and just fighting for everything and that’s Tommy. We’ve seen he can get the job done and I’ll be really disappointed for the kid if he’s not there.”

The Cowboys host Wests on Friday night, with kick-off in the NRL at 6pm. The Northern Pride will play a Queensland Cup curtain-raiser against Souths Logan from 3.05pm.

Originally published as Todd Payten backs players in for Origin, reveals late change to Cowboys team