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Sea Eagles v Cowboys: Paseka good to go; Duffy to debut
The North Queensland Cowboys will travel to Sydney determined to kick off their 30th anniversary in style when they take on the Manly Sea Eagles.
The club will honour 30 years of history throughout the season with playmaker Tom Dearden out to follow the path forged by his childhood hero, Jonathan Thurston, by leading the Cowboys to a premiership.
The journey starts at 4 Pines Park, where North Queensland will look to topple a Manly side that lost just two games at the ground in 2024.
Daly Cherry-Evans will return for his 15th season in the NRL and the oldest player in the competition is showing no signs of slowing down.
Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic starts the year fully healthy and is eager to hit the ground running.
Match: Sea Eagles v Cowboys
Round 1 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
3rd Position
away Team
Cowboys
15th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Team News
Sea Eagles: Manly are 1-17 with no late changes. Taniela Paseka (shoulder) and winger Jason Saab (ankle) will both play in a boost for the Sea Eagles. Superstar Tom Trbojevic is the fullback with Reuben Garrick and Tolu Koula in the centres. Former Warrior Jazz Tevaga starts at hooker in the absence of Lachlan Croker (knee) while another new recruit Siosiua Taukeiaho will start at prop. Jake Simpkin is the back-up hooker, joined on the bench by a trio of big men in Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor and Toafofoa Sipley. The 18th man is Clayton Faulalo.
Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. Young gun Tom Duffy is set to make his NRL debut and will partner with Tom Dearden in the halves. With stalwarts Kyle Feldt and Valentine Holmes departing the club, Braidon Burns has been named on the wing after coach Todd Payten praised his composure under the high ball, with youngster Jaxon Purdue winning the vacant centre spot. New signing John Bateman comes straight into the starting second-row position, with Heilum Luki out for the season, while fellow club newcomer Karl Lawton will come from the bench as a utility. Jason Taumalolo, who is recovering from a Lisfranc injury, was named amongst the reserves but dropped off on Friday night, along with Thomas Mikaele and Jake Clifford. The 18th man is Kai O'Donnell.
Match: Sea Eagles v Cowboys
Round 1 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Viliami Vailea
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Thomas Duffy
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jazz TevagaHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Karl Lawton
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey WaddellInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Harrison Edwards
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa SipleyInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Clayton FaulaloReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Kai O'Donnell
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won five of their past seven games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won their past two games at 4 Pines Park.
- Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored a try in six consecutive games at 4 Pines.
- The Cowboys have never won an opening round game in Sydney.
- Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has won six from seven against the Cowboys.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
