Cowboys team list: Round 16 v Panthers
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys co-captain Jason Taumalolo has been named to return from a knee injury for Friday night’s showdown with reigning premiers Penrith at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Taumalolo has been sidelined since Round 7 after opting to undergo surgery to fix a lingering knee complaint.
The 30-year-old returns in his usual No.13 jersey, which has been filled by Reuben Cotter and Jake Granville in his absence.
Cotter, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson will be all unavailable to face the Panthers due to State of Origin commitments.
New recruit Sam McIntyre becomes Cowboy No.313 after earning a spot on the interchange. A middle-forward who also has experience in the second row and at hooker, McIntyre has played 37 NRL games for across four seasons for the Tigers and Titans.
Kyle Feldt and Zac Laybutt return to replace Taulagi and Holmes at wing and centre respectively, while Semi Valemei holds his spot on the wing after an impressive club debut against the Storm in Round 14.
Jake Granville starts at hooker for the first time at NRL level in more than three years, replacing NSW Origin debutant Robson.
McIntyre is joined on the interchange by Griffin Neame, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Friday’s game kicks off at 8pm.
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Cowboys team to play Panthers:
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Peta Hiku
5. Semi Valemei
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend (c)
10. Coen Hess
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Heilum Luki
13. Jason Taumalolo (c)
Interchange
14. Sam McIntyre
15. Griffin Neame
Reserves
18. Brendan Elliot
19. Riley Price
20. Mitch Dunn
21. Tom Duffy
22. Jake Bourke
