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Cowboys v Broncos: Welcome back Cotter; Haas, Mam ruled out

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The two teams go into their Queensland derby with two very similar objectives, with the Cowboys eyeing a possible top four finish, while the Broncos are clinging to hope they can climb back into the top eight.

While the North Queensland side are breathing easier, they still have a number of challenges to overcome and coach Todd Payten will be keen to see plenty of improvement from his side after they were pushed all the way be a 12-man Wests Tigers team last week.

Payten also lost his Mr Fix-It in the match, with utility Jake Granville suffering a suspected pec injury just after halftime. Forward Heilum Luki left the field for a HIA after a high tackle by Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam and did not return, but has been cleared to play.

However, co-captain Reuben Cotter is ready for his return after a head knock in Round 21. 

For the Broncos, their heavy loss to the Titans was compounded by two crucial injuries, with key forward Payne Haas ruled out with a lisfranc injury in the opening minutes of the game. Five-eighth Ezra Mam joined him on the sidelines soon after with a syndesmosis injury. 

With their season hanging by the barest of threads, coach Kevin Walters will need to pull something from the fire to inspire his players if they are to avoid an ignominious slide from grand finalists last year to finishing outside the eight this season.

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Team News

Cowboys: Heilum Luki has been named in the second row after recovering from the high shot that led to Justin Olam being sent off last week. Lock Reuben Cotter returns from a concussion suffered a fortnight ago. Jeremiah Nanai will wear jersey No.24, with the No.12 retired in honour of Carl Webb. Jaxon Purdue joins the bench in a late switch with Thomas Mikaele, who is 18th man.

Broncos: Injuries to Payne Haas (foot) and Ezra Mam (ankle) have forced a major reshuffle with Josh Rogers taking over at five-eighth and Xavier Willison coming into the front row. Josiah Karapani will start on the wing in place of Corey Oates who drops out. Tristan Sailor has been added to the bench. Ben Te Kura is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
    Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece Walsh
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Josiah Karapani
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
    Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Josh Rogers
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
    Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
    Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre
    Prop for Broncos is number 10 Xavier Willison
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 24 Jeremiah Nanai
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
    Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison Edwards
    Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Blake Mozer
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
    Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Kobe   Hetherington
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Tristan Sailor
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Jaxon Purdue
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
    Replacement for Broncos is number 19 Benjamin Te Kura

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Cowboys have conceded 96 points in their last three games against the Broncos.
  • Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored 11 tries in his past 10 games.
  • Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has scored six tries in four games against the Broncos.
  • The Broncos have conceded 30 points or more seven times in 2024.
  • Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored nine tries in his last nine games against the Broncos.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.