North Queensland Cowboys head coach Paul Green will be looking to fine tune his combinations when a full-strength outfit takes on Wests Tigers in the team’s final trial match on Friday night.
Green has finalised his 18-man team for the trial, to be played at Campbelltown Stadium.
With a host of NRL regulars – including halves combo Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan – returning to the team after being rested for the trial in Mackay against the Roosters, Green said the team he has selected is close to what his Round 1 team will be.
"I've said all along that this trial is our last proper hit-out before Round 1," Green said.
"What I'm most looking for out of this trial is probably just a few combinations, just getting those a little bit sharper, especially with the new guys coming into the team. Ben Hampton in that utility role … we want him to feel comfortable in the team.”
Hampton will join young forwards Sam Hoare, Patrick Kaufusi, John Asiata and Coen Hess on a five-man bench, with all impressing against the Roosters in Mackay.
Friday's game kicks off at 7.00pm, New South Wales time (6.00pm Queensland time) and will be streamed live on cowboys.com.au
COWBOYS TEAM TO PLAY WESTS TIGERS: Lachlan Coote, Kyle Feldt, Justin O'Neill, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Jake Granville, Scott Bolton, Ethan Lowe, Gavin Cooper, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: John Asiata, Ben Hampton, Coen Hess, Sam Hoare, Patrick Kaufusi.
Meanwhile, a combined Cowboys under-20s/NRL squad team will play the Blackhawks at Jack Manski Oval from 7.00pm on Friday, February 17.
COWBOYS NRL/UNDER-20S COMBINED TO PLAY BLACKHAWKS: Kalyn Ponga, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Enari Tuala, Javd Bowen, NathanTraill, Mitch Dunn, Jake Clifford, Ben Spina, Calum Gahan, Braden Uele, Hiale Roycroft, Cody Maughan, Corey Horsburgh, Bacho Salam, Ryan Lloyd, Sam Murphy, Kaleb Fuimaono, Emry Pere, Jack Lote
