Warriors gain ground, Cowboys lose two players from Origin.
Both refreshed off a bye, the Cowboys and One New Zealand Warriors will be out to continue their recent run of form when they meet in Townsville tonight (5.30pm kick-off local time; 7.30pm NZT).
Having both strung together consecutive wins after struggling to put teams away earlier in the year, the two sides will be desperate to keep in touch of the top eight as they approach entering the second half of the season.
Following their round 13 bye the Warriors welcome back six frontline stars who bring more than 800 games of NRL experience.
The Cowboys, after orchestrating an impressive victory over the Roosters on Sunday, could have their depth tested once again with six of their stars featuring in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night.
Having now made it three straight, coach Todd Payten will be desperate to continue on their upward trajectory but they face a tough task against a Warriors side which welcomes back New South Wales Origin squad member Mitch Barnett.
Cowboys: Murray Taulagi (shoulder) and Reece Robson (neck) were ruled out on Friday morning by the Cowboys, with a decision to be made on their other Origin stars to come closer to kick-off. Like Taulagi and Robson, Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai all played 80 minutes in Wednesday’s Origin opener while Reuben Cotter played 69 minutes in the middle. The quartet remains in the mix to play after remaining in the 19 at the 24-hour countdown. Jordan McLean was ruled out on Friday night with a calf injury, with Tom Duffy and Tom Chester dropping out of the extended squad. Jason Taumalolo is set to start at prop in McLean’s place.
One New Zealand Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster confirmed on Wednesday that fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (illness), hooker Wayde Egan (head knock), centre Rocco Berry (hand), prop Addin Fonua-Blake (stood down) and back-rowers Kurt Capewell (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) are all likely to return in a huge boost for the side. There were no changes on Friday night, with the contingent set to take their place in the team on Saturday evening. Freddy Lussick and fullback Taine Tuaupiki remain in the extended squad as 18th and 19th man.
