NRL 2021: North Queensland Cowboys v Manly Sea Eagles, round 25 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 4 Sep 2021, 04:31 PM

Manly find themselves in the top four at the perfect time and one more win will ensure a double chance in the finals, although they may not even need a win depending on how the Roosters and Eels have fared in earlier games.

The way Des Hasler's team has responded from a horror first month has been one of the great storylines of 2021.

But now they're there, they need to cash in on the opportunity.

Given how the Cowboys performed in the second half of their drought-breaking win over the Dragons last weekend, that will be no easy feat.

North Queensland have endured a largely forgettable 2021, but boast a host of young forwards who look set to provide a brighter future.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Saturday 4 Sep

Full Time

Cowboys

Sea Eagles

Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Cowboys: Coen Hess (biceps) will play, replacing Reuben Cotter (shoulder) in the forward pack.

Ben Hampton was ruled out on Friday with a groin complaint, with Daejarn Asi replacing him in the centres. Lachlan Burr was the other player to drop out in the 24-hour submission.

Connelly Lemuelu is the 18th man with Tom Gilbert dropping off the extended bench an hour before kick-off.

The Cowboys are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time since Round 12.

Sea Eagles: Taniela Paseka (ankle) was close to a return last week but was held back and will play on Saturday night.

Paseka will come off the bench, with Josh Aloiai dropping out and Toafofoa Sipley starting at prop.

Sean Keppie got out of 14-day quarantine last week following the birth of his child in Sydney and is expected to come off the bench before the finals.

Moses Suli is the 18th man with Kurt De Luis dropping out of the squad one game day.

The Sea Eagles have won four of their past five games against the Cowboys.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Saturday 4 Sep

Full Time

Cowboys

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
Centre for Cowboys is number 19 Daejarn Asi

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan Harper
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 18 Toafofoa Sipley
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Ben Condon

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Joshua Schuster
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Heilum Luki

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl Lawton
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Mitchell Dunn

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Sean Keppie
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela Paseka

Reserves

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Connelly Lemuelu

Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Mosese Suli

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:47:07 AM

Key match-up

Tom Dearden v Daly Cherry-Evans. Dearden will be bolstered by finally having a win under his belt in Cowboys' colours. His tireless work ethic is something that can only inspire those around him. Cherry-Evans, on the other hand, is a wonderful player who has designs on taking his side to a premiership.

Stat attack

Swapping the No.13 jersey for No.8 didn't stop Jason Taumalolo from enjoying a great match against the Dragons in Round 24. In 19 runs he racked up 209 metres, and had two tackle breaks.

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