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Cowboys v Sharks: Nanai returns; McInnes back on deck

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Star halfbacks Tom Dearden and Nicho Hynes are set for an attacking duel when the Cowboys host Cronulla on Friday night. 

North Queensland are desperate to bounce back from a heavy loss to the Sea Eagles last week and their No.7 will be instrumental to their chances. 

With exciting attacking talent out wide, Dearden holds the keys to unlocking Jaxon Purdue, Scott Drinkwater and Braidon Burns. 

A forward pack led by Jason Taumalolo will look to lead the platform up front, with the prop set to go face to face with his Tongan teammate Addin Fonua-Blake. 

The Sharks are well-rested after last week's bye and have had two weeks to stew on a disappointing loss to the Roosters in Perth. 

Hynes and five-eighth Braydon Trindall have been instrumental in the team's early success this year and will look to pull off another victory on the road. 

The halfback requires just six points to become the fourth player to score 800 points for the Sharks and will join Steve Rogers, Mat Rogers and Luke Covell if he reaches the milestone. 

Hooker Blayke Brailey has another chance to press his NSW Origin claims, while emerging talent Jesse Colquhoun has taken on a growing role for the Sharks. 

Team News

Cowboys: Jeremiah Nanai will make his comeback from off-season shoulder surgery via the interchange after coach Todd Payten made a late switch on game day. Tom Mikaele will start in the back row, with Nanai shifting to the bench. Reed Mahoney and Murray Taulagi will also return from head knocks suffered a fortnight ago. Mahoney's comeback sees Soni Luke shift to the interchange, while Taulagi replaces Zac Laybutt on the wing. Kai O’Donnell and Kaiden Lahrs dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Laybutt remains on the six-man bench as injury cover. 

Sharks: Cam McInnes has been cleared for his first game since tearing his ACL in Round 24 last year. The inspirational skipper will come off the bench on Friday night. Sifa Talakai is also set for a new role and will shift to the centres as Craig Fitzgibbon shakes up his backline. Mawene Hiroti moves to the wing with Sione Katoa dropping out of the squad in Thursday's 24-hour update along with Tuku Hau Tapuha. No further changes in Friday's 90-minute team update. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Siosifa Talakai
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel  Stonestreet
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin  Fonua-Blake
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Briton Nikora
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnes
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Matthew Lodge
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

  • Reserve for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyre
    Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru
  • Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Zac Laybutt
    Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Riley Jones

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Cowboys have defeated the Sharks only once in six clashes at QCB Stadium.
  • The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Cowboys.
  • Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored six tries in his last eight games at QCB Stadium
  • Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes requires six points to reach 800 points for the club.
  • The Cowboys have conceded 69 points in their last two games.

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.