North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten has named Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame to make their NRL debuts against the Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday evening.
Eighteen-year-old Nanai and 20-year-old Neame are both products of the Cowboys Academy system and are in their first seasons with the NRL squad.
>>> Payten on two debutants, 'Mr Fix-It' & Luki's talent
Nanai was just 17 when he joined the Cowboys’ top squad for his first pre-season in November. A Cairns Kangaroos junior, Nanai played the majority of his junior football as a second-rower, but also has the ability to play middle forward or centre.
A former Junior Kiwis rep, Neame grew up in Greymouth on New Zealand’s South Island before relocating to North Queensland as a 17-year-old.
A hulking middle forward, Neame had been in stellar form for the Townsville Blackhawks prior to the pausing of the Queensland Cup competition.
Two weeks after making his maiden fullback appearance in the NRL, Jake Granville will start at centre for the first time at the top level.
Granville’s inclusion sees Ben Hampton shift from centre to the wing. Daejarn Asi also comes into the side at right centre, replacing Connelly Lemuelu, who shifts to the reserves.
Francis Molo returns to the starting side after being rested last week, with Tom Gilbert reverting to the interchange.
Youngster Ben Condon replaces injured Cowboys skipper Jason Taumalolo in the second row.
Cowboys team to play Tigers:
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Daejarn Asi
5. Ben Hampton
7. Tom Dearden
8. Francis Molo
9. Reece Robson
11. Ben Condon
12. Heilum Luki
13. Coen Hess
Interchange
14. Tom Gilbert
15. Jeremiah Nanai
16. Mitch Dunn
17. Griffin Neame
Reserves
18. Peter Hola
19. Connelly Lemuelu
20. Shane Wright
21. Laitia Moceidreke
