NRL 2020: Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys, trial at Casey Fields previewed

Storm v Cowboys: Big guns unveiled as round one looms

Author: Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 29 Feb 2020, 08:47 AM

The Storm and Cowboys got their campaigns off to solid starts with first-up trial wins and they'll both want to keep rolling when they meet at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Youngsters like Nicho Hynes and Tino Faasuamaleaui starred for Melbourne as they beat the Warriors 18-16 in Palmerston North last weekend.

Meanwhile, star signing Valentine Holmes had a decent cameo and rookie hooker Reuben Cotter excelled in North Queensland's victory over Brisbane by the same scoreline.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 29 Feb

Full Time

Storm

Cowboys

Venue: Casey Fields, Melbourne

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team News

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Justin Olam, 4. Marion Seve, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Tui Kamikamica, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Harry Grant, 15. Tino Fa'Asuamaleaui, 16. Max King, 17. Albert Vete, 18. Tom Eisenhuth, 19. Darryn Schonig, 20. Nicho Hynes, 21. Brenko Lee, 22. Ryley Jacks, 23. Cooper Johns, 24. Chris Lewis.

Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Josh Addo-Carr and Jesse Bromwich headline a powerful Storm squad. Marion Seve and Justin Olam will continue as the first-choice centre pairing as Craig Bellamy looks to settle on his team to face the Sea Eagles in round one. Brandon Smith (facial fracture), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring strain) and Christian Welch (knee rehab) are the only three big names missing.

Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Justin O’Neill, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Michael Morgan (c), 8. John Asiata, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Reece Robson, 15. Shane Wright, 16. Francis Molo, 17. Corey Jensen, 18. Mitch Dunn, 20. Connelly Lemuelu.

Captain Michael Morgan was rested against Brisbane but lines up this week for his first game of 2020. Scott Drinkwater has been rested after picking up a minor pec strain against the Broncos. John Asiata and Gavin Cooper have also been named for their first hit-outs of the season. Josh McGuire is unavailable with an MCL injury suffered at the NRL Nines.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Saturday 29 Feb

Full Time

Storm

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Valentine Holmes
Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
Centre for Storm is number 3 Justin Olam

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Esan Marsters
Centre for Storm is number 4 Marion Seve

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Opacic
Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Justin O'Neill
Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
Halfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Michael Morgan

Forwards

Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 John Asiata
Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Jake Granville
Prop for Storm is number 10 Tui Kamikamica

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean
2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Gavin Cooper
2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Coen Hess
Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Harry Grant

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Reece Robson
Interchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Shane Wright
Interchange for Storm is number 16 Max King

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Francis Molo
Interchange for Storm is number 17 Albert Vete

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Corey Jensen

Reserves

Reserve for Storm is number 18 Tom Eisenhuth

Reserve for Cowboys is number 18 Mitchell Dunn
Reserve for Storm is number 19 Darryn Schonig

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Connelly Lemuelu
Reserve for Storm is number 20 Nicholas Hynes
Reserve for Storm is number 21 Brenko Lee
Reserve for Storm is number 22 Ryley Jacks
Reserve for Storm is number 23 Cooper Johns

Match Officials

Referee: Matt Cecchin
Referee: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 12/8/2022 3:40:30 AM

The big question

Storm: Can Harry Grant take his chance? Brandon Smith's injury is likely to give the promising young hooker a shot off the bench in the early rounds. Grant was outstanding in last week's trial against the Warriors and he'll be determined to show that he deserves to remain in first grade.

Cowboys: Can Valentine Holmes hit the attacking switch? The Cowboys' new No.1 was solid but unspectacular in his club debut in the rain in Cairns but he should get more minutes this time around as he looks to fast-track his trip back to top form.