Young North Queensland Toyota Cowboys five-eighth Te Maire Martin is again set to partner co-captain Johnathan Thurston in the halves as the team searches for the edge against the Brisbane Broncos in Friday's Round 2 XXXX Derby at Suncorp Stadium.
After being a late withdrawal last weekend against the Sharks with a stomach injury, incumbent No.6 Michael Morgan has been named in the 21-man squad as team medical staff continue to monitor his progress.
Head coach Paul Green has named the same 17 that defeated Cronulla in Round 1, with Corey Jensen retaining his spot on the four-man interchange bench alongside John Asiata, Coen Hess and Scott Bolton.
Friday’s match marks 2018's first round of the XXXX Derby, in celebration of the Queensland rivalry and the thrilling, edge-of-your-seat encounters between the two sides in recent years.
The teams will play for the perpetual XXXX Derby trophy, with the winner holding first rights to the silverware until their reciprocal Round 22 clash at 1300SMILES Stadium on Thursday 9 August.
Friday’s game kicks off at 7.05pm.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos XXXX Derby
Round 2, 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership
7.05pm, Friday 16 March, Suncorp Stadium
Tickets: ticketek.com.au
#NRLBroncosCowboys #ridemcowboys
1. Ben Hampton
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Justin O’Neill
4. Javid Bowen
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Johnathan Thurston (c)
8. Matt Scott (c)
9. Jake Granville
10. Jordan McLean
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Ethan Lowe
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange:
14. John Asiata
15. Coen Hess
16. Scott Bolton
17. Corey Jensen
Reserves:
18. Kyle Laybutt
19. Michael Morgan
20. Francis Molo
21. Enari Tuala
