Cowboys v Storm: Taulagi a late inclusion; Katoa gets green light
The Cowboys will be hoping a return to their home patch in Townsville can bring about a change of fortune as they seek to climb out of the cellar and into finals contention.
Four of North Queensland's five wins in 2023 have come at Queensland Country Bank Stadium and they'll need every ounce of energy the Cowboys faithful can muster as they embark on a three-week stretch that includes games against the Storm, Panthers and Rabbitohs.
Despite sitting 16th with a 5-8 record, the Cowboys are just four points outside the top eight, and if they can rediscover anything like their 2022 form in the second half of the season, they are capable of making a late run for September.
The Storm have won three of their past four matches and banked four points from two byes to share the top rung on the ladder on 18 competition points with the Panthers, Sharks and Broncos.
Of those four sides, the Storm have by far the worst points differential and they'll need their much-vaunted attack to hit top gear if they are to keep pace with the leading pack.
Plenty of water has gone under the bridge since these sides clashed in the 2017 grand final, but the presence of so many Maroons Origin stars and internationals should ensure a cracking contest.
Match: Cowboys v Storm
Round 14 -
home Team
Cowboys
10th Position
away Team
Storm
7th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: In a late change, winger Murray Taulagi will back up from Origin duty and start the game wearing jumper 24, with Kyle Feldt dropping out to be the 18th player. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki who was originally named in 18 drops out. Earlier in the week, coach Todd Payten has confirmed Maroons Origin duo Valentine Holmes (No.22) and Reuben Cotter (No.23) would back up. Jason Taumalolo (knee) dropped out of the squad on Saturday so Jake Granville retains his spot at lock. Tom Dearden wasn't required as 18th Man for the Maroons and will be right to play.
Storm: There has been one change to the same 17 Craig Bellamy named earlier this week that downed the Dolphins in Round 12 with Nelson Asofa-Solomona dropping to the bench and Tui Kamikamica named to start. Origin stars Cameron Munster and Harry Grant set to back up, while back-rower Eliesa Katoa will play despite hurting his shoulder against the Dolphins. Tyran Wishart the 18th Man.
Match: Cowboys v Storm
Round 14 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Semi ValemeiWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta HikuCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 22 Valentine HolmesCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 24 Murray TaulagiWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom DeardenFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad TownsendHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLeanProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen HessProp for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jake GranvilleLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jeremiah NanaiInterchange for Storm is number 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-BrownInterchange for Storm is number 14 Bronson Garlick
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin NeameInterchange for Storm is number 15 Aaron Pene
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 23 Reuben CotterInterchange for Storm is number 17 Grant Anderson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtReplacement for Storm is number 18 Tyran Wishart
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Cowboys hooker Reece Robson leads the NRL in dummy half runs in 2023 with 75 and the Storm's Harry Grant is second with 72.
- The Cowboys have missed more tackles than any other team this season with 489. The Storm have missed 363 tackles.
- The Cowboys have won five from seven at Queensland Country Bank Stadium this season.
- The Storm have won 12 of their past 13 games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have conceded 162 points in their past five games.
- Storm winger Will Warbrick has scored six tries in his past eight games.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored five tries in his past three game
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
