North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten has made a host of changes to his side with Valentine Holmes, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Francis Molo unavailable due to Queensland commitments for Friday night’s clash with South Sydney.
Daejarn Asi will play his first NRL game for 2021, replacing Holmes at fullback. Asi played five games at the back end of the 2020 season, splitting his time between five-eighth and centre, but will don the No.1 for the first time his NRL career on Friday night.
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Connelly Lemuelu returns from a broken thumb at centre in a straight swap for Tabuai-Fidow. Lemuelu has been sidelined since Round 11, but had nailed down a spot in Payten’s side before injuring his hand.
Tom Gilbert has been named on the interchange despite still being in isolation due to the COVID-19 case on Magnetic Island. Gilbert continues to follow advice from QLD Health and the NRL, but it is hoped he will be permitted to leave isolation in the coming days.
Twenty-one-year-old outside back Michael Bell makes his first appearance in Payten’s 21-man squad. Bell has been named in the reserves alongside Peter Hola, Kane Bradley and Ben Condon.
Friday’s game kicks off a 7.55pm.
Cowboys team to play Rabbitohs:
1. Daejarn Asi
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Javid Bowen
7. Tom Dearden
8. Coen Hess
9. Reece Robson
10. Jordan McLean
11. Shane Wright
12. Mitch Dunn
13. Jason Taumalolo (c)
Interchange
14. Jake Granville
15. Tom Gilbert
16. Lachlan Burr
17. Heilum Luki
Reserves
18. Peter Hola
19. Michael Bell
20. Ben Condon
21. Kane Bradley
