Linnett to debut in round 1 starting side

28/02/2012 12:21:23 PM

Kane Linnett has won the race for a starting centre position in the Toyota Cowboys’ backline and will make his NRL debut for North Queensland against the Gold Coast Titans in the 2012 season opener at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night.

However, Linnett’s main rival for the left centre job, Antonio Winterstein, has not missed out and will be on the wing in his first game since suffering pectoral and shoulder damage in round 14 of last season.

Linnett joined the Cowboys on a two-year contract at the end of 2011 after playing 23 NRL matches for the Roosters, including the 2010 grand final, while injuries restricted Winterstein to just nine matches in his first season with the Cowboys.

Co-captain Johnathan Thurston and Ray Thompson will continue as the Cowboys’ halves pairing, although they have swapped the number six and seven jerseys they played in last season.

Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall and Dallas Johnson have won the keenly contested starting back-row slots, with coach Neil Henry naming another four forwards, including hooker James Segeyaro, on the interchange bench.

Johnson, prop James Tamou and winger Ashley Graham have been cleared to play after missing the pre-season trial which the Cowboys lost 36-28 against the Titans in Mackay.

Saturday night’s match kicks off at 8.30pm (Qld time) and will be live on Fox Sports and 4TOFM – follow our Twitter feed @nthqldcowboys for live score updates.

Match tickets are available by going to www.ticketek.com.au, visiting a Ticketek outlet or by calling 132 849.

To join as a Toyota Cowboys member, contact the Membership Team on 1300 GO COWBOYS (1300 462 692) or visit www.cowboys.com.au/membership.

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys v Titans
Round 1, 2012 NRL Telstra Premiership
8.30pm, Saturday 3 March, Dairy Farmers Stadium
1. Matthew Bowen
2. Ashley Graham
3. Brent Tate
4. Kane Linnett
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Johnathan Thurston (c)
7. Ray Thompson
8. Matthew Scott (c)
9. Aaron Payne
10. James Tamou
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Glenn Hall
13. Dallas Johnson

Interchange:
14. James Segeyaro
15. Scott Bolton
16. Jason Taumalolo
17. Ashton Sims

Coach: Neil Henry

www.cowboys.com.au