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Dolphins v Cowboys: Stone called up; Feldt wins wing battle

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Two sides that missed the finals in 2023 will look to make the ideal start to the new season when they meet at Suncorp Stadium.

A year ago the Dolphins launched their inaugural NRL campaign with a stunning upset of the Roosters at this very ground and Wayne Bennett is sure to have his men primed for a similar performance.

The Dolphins went on to post four wins and four losses at Suncorp and need to make it more of a fortress in 2024 if they are to force their way into the finals.

The Cowboys have featured in some of the finest games of the past decade at Suncorp and will feel right at home in the Cauldron as they set about rediscovering the form that carried them to a preliminary final in 2022 before last year's disappointing 11th placed finish.

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Team News 

Dolphins: No late changes, with veteran forward Jarrod Wallace retained as 18th man. Ray Stone gets first shot at making the No.13 jersey his following the loss of Tom Gilbert (knee) for the season. Halfback Sean O'Sullivan is good to go after failing a HIA during the Pre-Season Challenge. Euan Aitken and new recruit Jake Averillo are the major omissions from the squad to open the season. 

Cowboys: The team will take the field as named on Tuesday, with Jason Taumalolo starting at prop and Sam McIntyre on the bench. Veteran Kyle Feldt gets the nod on the right wing alongside Zac Laybutt, who takes over from the departed Peta Hiku. Off-season pickup Tom Mikaele is the 18th man. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater  
  • Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
  • Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Tesi Niu
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
  • Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac Laybutt
  • Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
  • Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
  • Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Thomas Flegler
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
  • 2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
  • 2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
  • Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Ray Stone
    Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Max Plath
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Kenneath Bromwich
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Sam McIntyre
  • Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Mark Nicholls
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu  Finefeuiaki 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Jarrod Wallace
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Thomas Mikaele

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • The Dolphins won three of their six derby games against Queensland opposition last season.
  • The Cowboys have won four of their past five games at Suncorp Stadium.
  • Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako scored seven tries in eight games at Suncorp Stadium in 2023.
  • Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored nine tries in his past 12 NRL games.
  • Dolphins forward Mark Nicholls will play his 150th game in the NRL.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.