All eyes will be on Tom Trbojevic in Townsville on Saturday night as Manly’s main man returns from his latest injury setback and looks to spearhead a charge to the finals.
Trbojevic hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring against the Dolphins in Round 10, with the Sea Eagles winning two and losing three in his absence.
The club has confirmed he will line up in the centres, a position he last played at NRL level back in 2016 when Brett Stewart was in his final season as Manly fullback.
The Sea Eagles sit just outside the eight on 19 points while the Cowboys jumped to seventh on the back Sunday’s upset victory over the Panthers.
Despite playing without Origin reps Val Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Dearden, and having Scott Drinkwater and Jaxon Purdue sin binned, the Cowboys dug deep to come up with one of their best wins of the season.
The Origin stars are set to return on Saturday.
Cowboys: No late changes an hour from kick-off. On the back of a win over the premiers the Cowboys have their rested Origin reps Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson all back on deck. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Sam McIntyre and Harrison Edwards all move to the bench alongside Griffin Neame.
Sea Eagles: No late changes an hour from kick-off. Tom Trbojevic will line up at centre in his return from a hamstring injury with Tolu Koula at fullback and Reuben Garrick back from concussion in the other centre position.
Origin reps Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu are all back on deck as is Josh Aloiai, who returns from suspension in the front row.
Lehi Hopoate, Nathan Brown and Karl Lawton will come from the bench after starting in the win over the Dragons prior to the bye.
The Cowboys have won only three of their past eight games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Sea Eagles have not been defeated in Townsville since 2016.
Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored five tries in his past five games.
Manly prop Josh Aloiai will play his 150th NRL game.
Cowboys hooker willReece Robson become the first player to appear in 50 games at QCB Stadium.
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