Hookers Aaron Payne and James Segeyaro have been included in the Cowboys squad for Friday night’s match with South Sydney despite battling injuries.
Payne missed North Queensland’s home loss to the Broncos last week after fracturing an eye socket in a training collision.
His replacement, Segeyaro, sprained his ankle during the Brisbane match and remains in the most doubt for the match on the weekend.
The Cowboys have included both men in their 19 man squad for the trip to Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Johnathan Thurston successfully returned from a knee injury last week and will hope to rekindle his combination with Payne.
Having lost their last two matches, North Queensland clings to fourth position on the ladder but have the Dragons, Warriors and Tigers right behind them.
The Rabbitohs are in red-hot form having smashed Parramatta and Canberra in recent weeks.
Cowboys coach Neil Henry has added forward Joel Riethmuller to the squad in the only other change.
It was announced today that fringe first-grader Will Tupou will leave the club at the end of the season to play rugby union.
However Roosters centre Kane Linnett will join the club for the 2012 season.
As of this writing, Friday’s match with the Rabbitohs will be delayed into Queensland with Channel Nine preferring to show the Storm and the Dragons live.
However, the Cowboys are working with the affiliate WIN network to get their match live into the areas outside of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Laffranchi’s 100th
Anthony Laffranchi has overcome a corked thigh and will become the fifth Titan to register a century of NRL games for the club this weekend.
Laffranchi was a late withdrawal from the 16-40 loss to Melbourne but should notch his milestone Saturday night against Canberra at Skilled Park.
His inclusion is the only change to the side from last week, with Clinton Toopi named 18th man.
Laffranchi slots into the back row, Greg Bird moves to lock and Luke O’Dwyer pushes back to the bench.
Gold Coast currently sits last in both the NRL and Under 20’s competition ladders and will be desperate to end their seasons on some kind of positive.
They are unbeaten in three games against the Raiders at home and with Canberra also having a shocking season, the match could be high-scoring.
One of the Titans five wins this season came against Canberra when Bird slotted a field goal to win the match in golden point.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 5:30pm and will be live on Fox Sports.
Broncos Unchanged
The Brisbane Broncos have named the same side as last match to face the Knights in Newcastle on Monday night.
Test winger Jharal Yow Yeh (ankle) was a late withdrawal from Friday’s 32-16 win in Townsville over the Cowboys and has been left out by coach Anthony Griffin today.
Yow Yeh injured his ankle during the previous week’s win over the Warriors but could yet overcome it with the longer rest period for a Monday night match.
His replacement Dale Copley scored a try in one of his stronger NRL matches last week and has been retained for the Knights.
Prop Ben Hannant is still sidelined with a hip problem.
The Broncos have secured a top eight berth and one more win from their remaining three games ensures a home final at Suncorp Stadium in Week One.
Brisbane could yet finish second despite Manly currently sitting one win ahead of the Broncos.
However the Sea Eagles have a tough draw home, facing Melbourne next week before playing Brisbane in Darren Lockyer’s final home match celebration.
That final round clash could determine second place and a guaranteed second chance or bye in Week Two of the finals – if the Broncos can maintain their winning form beforehand.
The Broncos, currently on a three game winning streak, defeated the Knights 17-6 in their Round Five clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Monday’s match is live on Fox Sports and kicks off at 7pm.
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Rabbitohs, Friday 7:35pm, (Channel Nine, delayed 9:30pm) Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Willie Tonga, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Ashton Sims, Cory Paterson, Joel Riethmuller (two to be omitted).
Gold Coast Titans vs. Raiders, Saturday 5:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Jordan Rankin, Steve Michaels, William Zillman, Dominique Peyroux, David Mead, Beau Henry, Preston Campbell, Luke Bailey (c), Matt Srama, Matthew White, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Greg Bird. Interchange: Brenton Lawrence, Will Matthews, Bodene Thompson, Luke O’Dwyer, Clinton Toopi. (one to be omitted).
Brisbane Broncos vs. Knights, Monday 7pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Dale Copley, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Josh McGuire, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Alex Glenn, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Matt Gillett, Ben Hunt, Ben Te’o, David Hala.
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