Season-defining call: Cowboys switch up the halves after horror month as veteran playmaker earns Newcastle recall
Lehi Hopoate will start in his preferred position at fullback, while Trbojevic moves to centre where he's starred for both NSW and Australia.
'I had a lot of input from the coaches, but we've got someone like Lehi there who's very good at fullback,' he said on Monday.
'I'm not unfamiliar with playing centre, I've done it before. It'll be a different challenge for me and one I'm excited for.'
Speedster Jason Saab drops out of the 17 which sees Reuben Garrick push out to right wing, while Jazz Tevaga replaces Lachlan Croker at hooker and Corey Waddell comes in for the injured Haumole Olakau'atu.
They face a Tigers side that has named Heath Mason at fullback in place of Jahream Bula (hamstring), with exciting youngster Latu Fainu set to partner Jarome Luai in the halves.
Veteran playmaker Jackson Hastings has been brought in for just his second game of the year in place of livewire five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe who could miss the rest of the season after he suffered a lacerated kidney in Perth.
It's a major loss for Newcastle given his speed around the ruck, with Hastings to get a rare chance after falling out of favour.
They do get Jacob Saifiti in the middle, while powerhouse winger Greg Marzhew could also return against a Raiders side missing Hudson Young who has been rested to manage an ongoing groin issue.
Nathan Cleary is a confirmed starter for Penrith after injuring his groin the day before Origin II, with the premiers welcoming back all their Blues stars against the Bulldogs who have again named Lachlan Galvin on the bench.
Souths have received a triple boost with Campbell Graham, Cody Walker and Peter Mamouzelos all returning to the 17 for the trip to Brisbane to take on the Dolphins who have gone with Junior Tupou on the wing to replace Jack Bostock (ACL).
The Jaxon Purdue experiment in the halves is over with the young gun returning to left centre which sees Jake Clifford return to the halves for a Cowboys side that has fallen apart defensively in recent weeks.
Origin stars Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter are back on deck against a Titans side that has named Tom Weaver to replace halfback Jayden Campbell (concussion protocols).
Kyle Flanagan has kept his spot at halfback for the Dragons who welcome back Jaydn Su'A and Christian Tuipulotu for their game against the Eels who get Dylan Brown back from suspension to partner Dean Hawkins in the halves.
Jordan Samrani starts at right centre and Joey Lussick keeps his spot at hooker with Will Penisini and Ryley Smith suspended.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Knights roll on, celebrate home Magic Round with a win
Newcastle have celebrated hosting the NRLW's first Magic Round by securing their fourth straight win. In front of a hometown crowd the Knights triumphed 18-0 over a luckless Canberra side, while the Warriors and Parramatta returned to the winner's circle on Sunday. The milestones continued at McDonald Jones Stadium with the first scoreless half of the eight-year competition between the hosts and Raiders, and a favourable bounce from the left upright keeping Jesse Southwell's perfect goal-kicking record this season (21 from 21) intact. On Saturday, the first drawn game eventuated between Gold Coast and Canterbury (14-all) and it was the first time games had been stopped by lightning. Newcastle fans sat uncomfortably in their seats as the winless Raiders held the two-time premiers to 0-0 at halftime. But the Knights kicked into gear after the break with tries to winger Sheridan Gallagher and prop Tiana Davison – both with Southwell in the thick of the action. A third Knights try to hooker Olivia Higgins, after sustained pressure on the Raiders line, sealed the result. "We knew it was a game we were going to have to grind and we were up for the battle," said Newcastle captain Yasmin Clydsdale. Canberra coach Darren Borthwick said that despite the 0-5 start to the season there was a lot of belief in his team. "It's still not the result we want but they keep turning up for each other and I feel there's light at the end of the tunnel for them," he said. North Queensland coach Ricky Henry said his side were "out-enthused" by the Warriors, going down 12-6 and throwing away the chance to grab a third straight win. The Cowboys took a 6-0 lead through a Rosie Kelly try in the ninth minute, but that was as good as it got. "Our intent wasn't there today – we got out-enthused," he said. After wins over Cronulla and Canberra, the Cowboys showed none of their customary grit and fightback. Halfback Kirra Dibb is still sitting on the sidelines after being dropped three weeks ago, but Henry says she will be available for next weekend's game against the Eels. A try for prop Ivana Lauitiiti after she swatted away three defenders in her 10-metre run to the line, and a second four-pointer to winger Payton Takimoana did the damage for the Warriors, who avoided a third straight defeat. "We spoke about being prepared to win the game by skill but we'll be ready to win the game by will," coach Ron Griffiths said. "We arrived in Newcastle to torrential rain so we did our captain's run in the rain and then had a swim at Newcastle baths. And the players just said 'Yep, let's get it done'." And Parramatta bounced back from a big loss to the Knights, narrowly beating St George Illawarra 12-10. The Eels were down 6-2 at halftime and had an uphill battle after they lost five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku (ankle) and centre Rory Owen (leg) to reduce their bench to two for the second half. It dropped to one when Kennedy Cherrington (concussion) left in the 59th minute and didn't return, but Fleur Ginn's four-pointer with nine minutes to go lifted Steve Georgallis' side to fifth. Newcastle have celebrated hosting the NRLW's first Magic Round by securing their fourth straight win. In front of a hometown crowd the Knights triumphed 18-0 over a luckless Canberra side, while the Warriors and Parramatta returned to the winner's circle on Sunday. The milestones continued at McDonald Jones Stadium with the first scoreless half of the eight-year competition between the hosts and Raiders, and a favourable bounce from the left upright keeping Jesse Southwell's perfect goal-kicking record this season (21 from 21) intact. On Saturday, the first drawn game eventuated between Gold Coast and Canterbury (14-all) and it was the first time games had been stopped by lightning. Newcastle fans sat uncomfortably in their seats as the winless Raiders held the two-time premiers to 0-0 at halftime. But the Knights kicked into gear after the break with tries to winger Sheridan Gallagher and prop Tiana Davison – both with Southwell in the thick of the action. A third Knights try to hooker Olivia Higgins, after sustained pressure on the Raiders line, sealed the result. "We knew it was a game we were going to have to grind and we were up for the battle," said Newcastle captain Yasmin Clydsdale. Canberra coach Darren Borthwick said that despite the 0-5 start to the season there was a lot of belief in his team. "It's still not the result we want but they keep turning up for each other and I feel there's light at the end of the tunnel for them," he said. North Queensland coach Ricky Henry said his side were "out-enthused" by the Warriors, going down 12-6 and throwing away the chance to grab a third straight win. The Cowboys took a 6-0 lead through a Rosie Kelly try in the ninth minute, but that was as good as it got. "Our intent wasn't there today – we got out-enthused," he said. After wins over Cronulla and Canberra, the Cowboys showed none of their customary grit and fightback. Halfback Kirra Dibb is still sitting on the sidelines after being dropped three weeks ago, but Henry says she will be available for next weekend's game against the Eels. A try for prop Ivana Lauitiiti after she swatted away three defenders in her 10-metre run to the line, and a second four-pointer to winger Payton Takimoana did the damage for the Warriors, who avoided a third straight defeat. "We spoke about being prepared to win the game by skill but we'll be ready to win the game by will," coach Ron Griffiths said. "We arrived in Newcastle to torrential rain so we did our captain's run in the rain and then had a swim at Newcastle baths. And the players just said 'Yep, let's get it done'." And Parramatta bounced back from a big loss to the Knights, narrowly beating St George Illawarra 12-10. The Eels were down 6-2 at halftime and had an uphill battle after they lost five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku (ankle) and centre Rory Owen (leg) to reduce their bench to two for the second half. It dropped to one when Kennedy Cherrington (concussion) left in the 59th minute and didn't return, but Fleur Ginn's four-pointer with nine minutes to go lifted Steve Georgallis' side to fifth. Newcastle have celebrated hosting the NRLW's first Magic Round by securing their fourth straight win. In front of a hometown crowd the Knights triumphed 18-0 over a luckless Canberra side, while the Warriors and Parramatta returned to the winner's circle on Sunday. The milestones continued at McDonald Jones Stadium with the first scoreless half of the eight-year competition between the hosts and Raiders, and a favourable bounce from the left upright keeping Jesse Southwell's perfect goal-kicking record this season (21 from 21) intact. On Saturday, the first drawn game eventuated between Gold Coast and Canterbury (14-all) and it was the first time games had been stopped by lightning. Newcastle fans sat uncomfortably in their seats as the winless Raiders held the two-time premiers to 0-0 at halftime. But the Knights kicked into gear after the break with tries to winger Sheridan Gallagher and prop Tiana Davison – both with Southwell in the thick of the action. A third Knights try to hooker Olivia Higgins, after sustained pressure on the Raiders line, sealed the result. "We knew it was a game we were going to have to grind and we were up for the battle," said Newcastle captain Yasmin Clydsdale. Canberra coach Darren Borthwick said that despite the 0-5 start to the season there was a lot of belief in his team. "It's still not the result we want but they keep turning up for each other and I feel there's light at the end of the tunnel for them," he said. North Queensland coach Ricky Henry said his side were "out-enthused" by the Warriors, going down 12-6 and throwing away the chance to grab a third straight win. The Cowboys took a 6-0 lead through a Rosie Kelly try in the ninth minute, but that was as good as it got. "Our intent wasn't there today – we got out-enthused," he said. After wins over Cronulla and Canberra, the Cowboys showed none of their customary grit and fightback. Halfback Kirra Dibb is still sitting on the sidelines after being dropped three weeks ago, but Henry says she will be available for next weekend's game against the Eels. A try for prop Ivana Lauitiiti after she swatted away three defenders in her 10-metre run to the line, and a second four-pointer to winger Payton Takimoana did the damage for the Warriors, who avoided a third straight defeat. "We spoke about being prepared to win the game by skill but we'll be ready to win the game by will," coach Ron Griffiths said. "We arrived in Newcastle to torrential rain so we did our captain's run in the rain and then had a swim at Newcastle baths. And the players just said 'Yep, let's get it done'." And Parramatta bounced back from a big loss to the Knights, narrowly beating St George Illawarra 12-10. The Eels were down 6-2 at halftime and had an uphill battle after they lost five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku (ankle) and centre Rory Owen (leg) to reduce their bench to two for the second half. It dropped to one when Kennedy Cherrington (concussion) left in the 59th minute and didn't return, but Fleur Ginn's four-pointer with nine minutes to go lifted Steve Georgallis' side to fifth.
Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Courier-Mail
Sam Backo dies aged 64, Maroons, Raiders legend
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Sam Backo – a larger-than-life front-rower who represented Queensland and Australia in the 1980s – has died. Backo, 64, had been in intensive care at Cairns Hospital after being diagnosed with melioidosis – a bacterial infection – in April. Recent media reports stated Backo may have contracted the soil-borne tropical disease while swimming in Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park in Cairns. Backo had been transferred to a Brisbane hospital but returned to Cairns where he passed on Sunday afternoon surrounded by family and friends. 'Sam was a wonderful player and a wonderful man. He was immensely powerful and a real character. He will be sadly missed,' said Raiders coach and ex-teammate Ricky Stuart. Nicknamed Slammin' Sam, Backo played 114 games for Canberra between 1983 and 1988 before playing a further 20 games for Brisbane in 1989 and 1990. A renowned character, Backo played seven State of Origin games for Queensland and six Tests for Australia. He also represented a Rest of World team in 1988. Sam Backo has died aged 64. Sam Backo played 114 games for the Raiders. Remarkably, Backo scored tries all three Tests against Great Britain in 1988 and also claimed two man-of-the-match honours for Queensland. Former Raiders teammate Brent Todd posted an emotional message to Facebook, writing: 'Goodbye my dear friend, may you now rest in peace. 'During our time at the Raiders we became bloody great mates. I'm going to miss you, Sammy.' Ex-Maroons teammate Martin Bella posted a photo of himself, Backo and the late Peter Jackson after a State of Origin win. 'Late man standing. The years are cruel,' Bella wrote. Canberra Raiders also paid tribute, posting: 'VALE Canberra Raiders great Sam Backo. #Raider43. Our condolences to his family and friends.' Backo enjoyed a stint with Leeds in England in 1988. Leeds Rhinos took to social media to post: 'Deeply sad news in Australia that '80s fan favourite, Slammin' Sam Backo has passed away aged 64.' Known as a gentle giant, Backo, who suffered a heart attack in 2023, watched the recent State of Origin decider from his hospital bed. At the time of his heart attack, former teammate and Immortal Wally Lewis said: 'He was such a dominant prop. 'When he came on, Sam just destroyed everyone that was in front of him. Sam was the size of a cement truck and he made the most of it. 'That dominating period for Sam, in the late 1980s, probably gave Queensland dominance in size for the first time.' At the time, Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister added: 'They talk about big blokes these days with footwork but Sam was one of the first that was god on his feet for a big man.' Backo, who started his top-level footy career with Brisbane club Fortitude Valley, was known for his work in indigenous health. He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for his contribution to rugby league in Australia.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Maroons, Raiders legend Sam Backo dies
Australian, Queensland and Canberra rugby league legend Sam Backo has died, aged 64. A proud Warrgamay Indigenous man, he played seven State of Origin matches for the Maroons, six Tests for Australia, 116 matches for the Canberra Raiders and 20 for the Brisbane Broncos between 1983 and 1990 in a storied career. NRL identities have paid tribute, including former Maroons captain Wally Lewis and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys. 'It is with great sadness that I learned this afternoon of the passing of a great mate – Sam Backo,' Lewis wrote on Facebook. 'It was a privilege to play beside Sam, and to have him as a mate. I am very grateful [former Maroon and Bronco] Gene Miles and I got to visit Sam 10 days ago in hospital and have a few laughs with him. 'RIP Sam, you will greatly missed. My deepest sympathies to your loving wife Chrissie and family.' V'Landys said Backo 'was as tough as they come, a larger-than-life character who was as recognisable as he was resilient'. 'Through a successful career with Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos, not to mention Queensland and Australia, he was a one-of-a-kind footballer.
