Cowboys v Storm: Laybutt returns; Meaney ruled out
North Queensland are out to keep the momentum rolling when they face a desperate Melbourne Storm on Saturday night.
The Cowboys claimed their first win of the year when they toppled Gold Coast last weekend and they have their sights on two-in-a-row at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
With Maroons halfback Tom Dearden pulling the strings, North Queensland unleashed their lethal outside backs to run in five tries to three.
The Cowboys will again turn to their speedsters as they look to breakdown the Storm defensive line.
Fullback Scott Drinkwater and emerging talent Jaxon Purdue will be central to the team's attacking intent.
Melbourne travel north desperate to rebound following last week's loss to the Broncos at AAMI Park.
The Storm led 14-0 at half-time before succumbing to a Brisbane comeback and coach Craig Bellamy will spend the week ensuring there is no repeat on Saturday night.
Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes will look to lead an attack that created plenty of chances in Round 3 but struggled to convert opportunities into points.
Match: Cowboys v Storm
Round 4 -
home Team
Cowboys
11th Position
away Team
Storm
7th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Team News
Cowboys: One minor change for the Cowboys in their 24-hour update, with Kaiden Lahrs replacing Harrison Edwards on the six-man bench. Prop Tom Mikaele is pushing to make his first appearance since injuring his knee in Las Vegas and has been listed on the six-man bench. Zac Laybutt is also set for his first outing of the year and has been named in the centres in place of the suspended Tom Chester. The Cowboys have won three of their last four games against the Storm in Townsville.
Storm: Centre Nick Meaney has been ruled out on Friday due to back soreness, with Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown taking his place on the wing. Manaia Waitere is the new face on the six-man bench as a result. Harry Grant will most likely assume the goalkicking duties. Trent Loiero is set to start at lock after making his return from suspension via the interchange last weekend. The change will see Tui Kamikamica revert to the interchange. Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has won seven from eight against the Cowboys.
Match: Cowboys v Storm
Round 4 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon BurnsWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon PurdueCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac LaybuttCentre for Storm is number 4 Moses Leo
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Coen HessProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Alec MacDonald
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni LukeInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin NeameInterchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper Clarke
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 21 Matthew LodgeInterchange for Storm is number 21 Manaia Waitere
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 15 Kai O'DonnellReserve for Storm is number 17 Davvy Moale
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Liam SuttonReserve for Storm is number 18 Jack Hetherington
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won three of their last four games against the Storm in Townsville.
- Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has won seven from eight against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his last six games at QCB Stadium.
- Storm fullback Sua Faalogo has scored nine tries in his last six NRL games.
- Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored five tries in five games against the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
