Queensland Origin hopeful Jeremiah Nanai has had a red-hot start in the Cowboys clash with the Tigers.
Nanai played a role in the Cowboys’ first try of the game and then backed it up with a four-pointer of his own two minutes later.
The fast start from the Cowboys has left the Tigers shellshocked — and Fox League analayst Cooper Cronk fears there’s “worrying signs” of what’s to come.
MATCH CENTRE: Cowboys vs Tigers live score, stats, updates
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TEAMS
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 21. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 17. Jason Taumalolo. 18th man: 20. Harrison Edwards
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Declan Casey 4. Josh Feledy 5. Solomon Alaimalo 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Samuela Fainu 15. Alex Twal 13. Justin Matamua 14. Jake Simpkin 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole. 18th man: 19. Alexander Lobb
MATCH PREVIEW
The Wests Tigers will be desperate to snap a six-game losing streak when they head up to Townsville to take on the Cowboys.
The Tigers haven’t tasted victory since Aiden Sezer’s 79th minute field goal upset the Eels on Easter Monday.
The Cowboys were in a similar boat until they snapped a five-game losing streak last week with a much-needed six-point win over the Rabbitohs.
Benji Marshall’s job hasn’t been made any easier with the coach being forced to call in two rookie centres to replace Brent Naden and Justin Olam, who are both suspended.
24-year-old Declan Casey and 19-year-old Josh Feledy have been named for what will be their seventh and second NRL games respectively.
Marshall also made a late change before kick-off with Alex Twal to start at lock and Justin Matamua dropping back to the bench.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has made one change to the team that beat the Rabbitohs, with Kyle Feldt returning from an ankle injury and pushing Braidon Burns out of the 17.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Api Koroisau and Reece Robson as the two face-off in their last audition for the Blues’ hooking role.
Source Agencies
