Twenty-year-old winger Murray Taulagi will become North Queensland Toyota Cowboy number 282 after being named to make his NRL debut against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday night.
A 99kg outside back, Taulagi joined the Cowboys prior to the 2017 season after starring playing schoolboy rugby union for Brisbane State High School.
A 2018 Junior Kangaroos representative, Taulagi will make his NRL debut despite being in just his third full season of rugby league.
Taulagi replaces Jordan Kahu, who is sidelined with an Oribital Floor fracture meaning Javid Bowen moves from the wing to the centres.
John Asiata will again play five-eighth, although skipper Michael Morgan has been named on the reserves as he continues to progress through concussion protocol.
Coen Hess and Matt Scott have again been named on the interchange after making successful returns from injury against the Roosters.
Morgan is joined in the reserves by hooker Reuben Cotter, prop Corey Jensen and centre Dan Russell.
The match will also double as a celebration for Cowboys life member Gavin Cooper, who played his 300th NRL game in last Sunday’s win over the Sydney Roosters on the Central Coast.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 7.35pm
Cowboys team to play Rabbitohs:
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Javid Bowen
4. Tom Opacic
6. John Asiata
8. Josh McGuire
10. Jordan McLean (VC)
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Shane Wright
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
14. Coen Hess
15. Matt Scott
16. Scott Bolton
17. Francis Molo
Reserves
18. Michael Morgan (C)
19. Reuben Cotter
20. Corey Jensen
21. Dan Russell
