Nineteen-year-old second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has been named to make his NRL debut in Sunday’s Magic Round battle with the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
A hard-running edge forward with Tongan heritage, Finefeuiaki was promoted to a development contract in April after impressing during his first pre-season with the NRL squad.
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Finefeuiaki moved to North Queensland prior to the 2022 season after finishing his schooling at Ipswich State High. Born in Auckland, Finefeuiaki moved to Australia as an 11-year-old. He has been named on the interchange, replacing utility Tom Chester who has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
Fellow second-rower Heilum Luki has been named to return from a hamstring injury. Luki has missed the previous four games after coming from the field in Round 5 against the Bulldogs.
Luki has been named in the starting side in place of Jeremiah Nanai, who accepted a four-match suspension stemming from a tackle in last Thursday’s game against the Sharks.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 4pm.
Cowboys team to play Roosters:
2. Kyle Feldt
4. Peta Hiku
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend (c)
9. Reece Robson
10. Coen Hess
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jack Gosiewski
13. Reuben Cotter
Interchange
14. Jake Granville
15. Mitch Dunn
Reserves
18. Riley Price
19. Ben Hampton
20. Brendan Elliot
21. Taniela Sadrugu
22. Jake Bourke
