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NRL Late Mail Round 17: Cowboys dealt double blow; De Groot returns

The Cowboys have been dealt a blow, with Jordan McLean and John Bateman ruled out of Sunday's clash with the Titans. 

The duo have succumbed to calf and groin injuries respectively, with Kai O'Donnell and Kaiden Lahrs coming into the side for the Round 17 match which sees the NRL celebrate .

Titans youngster Jaylan De Groot has been recalled on the bench in his return from a hamstring injury.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 17 of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail Round 17

Titans v Cowboys, Sunday 4.05pm at Cbus Super Stadium

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
  • Winger for Titans is number 3 Jojo Fifita
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
  • Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
  • Centre for Titans is number 22 Brian Kelly
    Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Zac Laybutt
  • Winger for Titans is number 5 Allan Fitzgibbon
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
  • Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tom Weaver
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

  • Prop for Titans is number 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Sam McIntyre
  • Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
  • Prop for Titans is number 15 Jaimin Jolliffe
    Prop for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
  • 2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Chris Randall
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
  • 2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
  • Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
    Lock for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison Edwards

Interchange

  • Interchange for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Thomas Mikaele
  • Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
  • Interchange for Titans is number 17 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Kaiden Lahrs
  • Interchange for Titans is number 18 Jaylan De Groot
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'Donnell

Reserves

  • Replacement for Titans is number 14 Jacob Alick-Wiencke
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Thomas Duffy

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Titans: More changes on game day for Des Hasler with Jaylan De Groot added to the bench in his return from a hamstring injury. Jacob Alick-Wiencke reverts to 18th man. Moeaki Fotuaika also shifts to the bench with Jaimin Jolliffe promoted to the starting side. On Saturday Hasler had mixed up his backline with Brian Kelly recalled in the centres. Jojo Fifita shifting to the wing as a result and Alofiana Khan-Pereira dropping out of the squad to play Queensland Cup. Tom Weaver is set to start at halfback after Jayden Campbell was ruled out following a head knock.

Cowboys: North Queensland were dealt a late blow 24 hours out from kick-off with Jordan McLean suffering a calf injury and John Bateman picking up a groin injury. The injuries will see Kai O'Donnell come into the side in jumper No.20 and Griffin Neame shift from the bench to the starting front row. Kaiden Lahrs is the new name on the interchange as a result. Tom Duffy and Braidon Burns remain in the extended squad. Jason Taumalolo will have to wait at least another week to return from a calf injury, however Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter are back on deck after they were rested last Sunday. Jaxon Purdue has also shifted to the centres, with Jake Clifford returning to the side at five-eighth. Harrison Edwards has been promoted to the starting side an hour before kick-off.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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