Cowboys.com.au are providing an in-depth positional analysis of the 2025 North Queensland Toyota Cowboys squad. We continue the series with a new-look outside backs group headlined by star winger Murray Taulagi.
The players are ranked by their NRL experience with their career numbers of games in brackets next to their name.
>>> Part 1: Fullback
Murray Taulagi (93)
One of the NRL’s premier wingers, Taulagi has been entrenched on the Cowboys’ left wing since early in the 2021 season. The 25-year-old scored 11 tries in 18 appearances last season. Todd Payten has also indicated Taulagi is an option at centre in 2025.
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Braidon Burns (66)
The veteran is firmly in the mix for either a centre or wing spot to open the 2025 season. Burns scored five tries in just four games for the Cowboys after arriving mid-season in 2024.
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Jaxson Paulo (63)
A new recruit to North Queensland, Paulo has the ability to play either centre or wing. The 25-year-old, who played in a grand final with South Sydney in 2021, has scored 27 tries across five seasons in the NRL.
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Semi Valemei (42)
The Fiji International will be one of the leading contenders for the vacant right wing spot. A revelation after joining the Cowboys in 2023, Valemei battled injuries for large chunks of 2024. The 25-year-old has scored 10 tries in his 13 Cowboys appearances.
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Viliami Vailea (35)
Vailea locked down the Cowboys’ right centre spot for the back half of the 2024 season after joining the club from the Warriors. A strong ball carrier, Vailea also impressed with his defence during his maiden season in North Queensland.
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Tom Chester (12)
Chester will unfortunately miss the 2025 season after suffering an ACL injury.
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Jaxon Purdue (8)
A star schoolboy half, Purdue had never played centre until his NRL debut in a memorable victory over the Roosters. The 19-year-old looked at home in the centres, highlighted by a breathtaking match-winning try against the Bulldogs in Round 20. Purdue is also in the mix for the halfback jersey.
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Zac Laybutt (8)
Laybutt suffered a cruel ACL injury after bursting out of the blocks in 2024. The skillful 22-year-old is one of the leading contenders for either the vacant left position or the right centre spot he manned before injury struck last season.
![](/contentassets/821eb6e01f864d37a94c1260ccb41d7c/laybutt-_03.12.24--16.jpg?center=0.31%2C0.53&preset=photo-inline)
Rob Derby (1)
The Cairns product is another leading contender for the right wing spot. Derby endured an injury-interrupted 2024 after making his NRL debut in 2023. The PNG International is a powerful ball-runner who thrives carrying the ball out of his own end.
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