Five things you need to know: Round 15 v Sea Eagles

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys travel to Sydney to face the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Friday night.

1. HEADING HOME

Friday’s fixture is the Cowboys' last trip away from North Queensland until three consecutive away games beginning on July 31. Following the Manly clash, the Cowboys have a weekend off for the Rep Round before facing the Broncos at home in Round 16. A Round 17 bye is followed by consecutive home games against the Sharks and Tigers.

2. ROUGH TROT

The Cowboys will be out to atone for a rough recent record against the Sea Eagles. North Queensland have lost four straight, including both fixtures last season. The Cowboys most recent victory over Manly came in Round 13 of the 2018 season – a 26-12 triumph behind two Antonio Winterstein tries.

3. MAROON INJECTION

Queensland State of Origin stars Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai have been named to return after being rested last weekend. Cotter resumes his role in the front row with Coen Hess pushing to the bench, while Nanai returns in the second row with fellow young gun Heilum Luki sidelined for the year.

4. STARTING BERTH

Connelly Lemuelu has been named to start in the second row for the first time at NRL level. The 23-year-old has made a successful transition to the forwards this season after plying his trade as a centre in his first two NRL seasons. Lemuelu replaces Tom Gilbert, who is sidelined with an eye injury.

5. STATS UPDATE

Peta Hiku’s tireless workrate has seen him break into the top five in the NRL for total runs with 227. Reece Robson is fourth in the competition with 577 tackles, closing in on tomorrow’s opposing hooker Lachlan Croker who leads the NRL with 601. Chad Townsend is second with 13 try assists and fourth for total kicking metres with 5513. Jason Taumalolo has risen to second in post-contact metres with 882. Valentine Holmes has kicked the most goals with 50 and his 117 points are third.