Cowboys team list: Round 3 v Warriors

Local product Gehamat Shibasaki has been named to make his North Queensland Toyota Cowboys debut in Saturday’s game against the Warriors at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Shibasaki becomes Cowboy No.306 and will line up in the centres, replacing the suspended Peta Hiku.

>>> Payten on team changes; Warriors in 2023

The 24-year-old has appeared in 27 NRL games over the course of four seasons for the Broncos and Knights. Born and raised in Townsville, Shibasaki returned to North Queensland in mid-2022 after a short stint in Japanese rugby and finished the season on a Train & Replacement deal with the Cowboys, before signing a one-year extension for 2023.

Fellow North Queensland boy Tom Chester has been named at fullback, replacing Scott Drinkwater who accepted a three-game suspension stemming from the Round 2 game against the Broncos.

Chester made his NRL debut in 2022 following a breakout season in the Queensland Cup. The 21-year-old has played almost every position on the field during his time in the Cowboys junior system, but has found a home at fullback over the past two seasons.

Injured forward trio Heilum Luki, Taniela Sadrugu and Mitch Dunn have all been named in the reserves as they edge closer to returns.

Luki and Dunn have been sidelined since suffering ACL injuries last season, while Sadrugu picked up a PCL injury late in the pre-season.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 4.30pm.