http://www.canberratimes.com.au/breaking-news-sport/new-faces-for-nq-cowboys-but-no-bowen-20130714-2pxu1.html
New faces for NQ Cowboys but no Bowen
Date
July 14, 2013 - 3:01PM
The element of surprise may help a new-look North Queensland pull off a much needed NRL upset over Manly in Townsville on Monday night, stand-in Cowboys skipper Glenn Hall says.
But North Queensland coach Neil Henry has ruled out throwing any more curve balls, saying veteran fullback Matt Bowen won't be a last minute inclusion against the Sea Eagles.
Hall admitted some players may feel like they have received a "kick in the guts" by losing their spots in a Cowboys line-up drastically reshuffled following the departure of co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott and fellow State of Origin stars Brent Tate and James Tamou.
But he couldn't help chuckle over what Manly coach Geoff Toovey would have made of the almost unrecognisable Cowboys team.
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"Good luck to Geoff Toovey doing a video session on them," he smiled.
"We are going to have to be on our game but hopefully we can surprise them with a few guys that they don't know."
Apart from their Origin contingent, North Queensland are also without Bowen (knee), Dallas Johnson (ankle) and Ashton Sims (suspension) while Gavin Cooper and Tariq Sims have been demoted to the bench.
It has resulted in a completely new starting pack.
Lock Joel Riethmuller, second-rower Ethan Lowe, hooker Anthony Mitchell and prop Ricky Thorby slot in after not even appearing in last round's 17.
Second-rower Jason Taumalolo and prop Hall have been promoted from the bench.
Henry is yet to trim his five man bench with a question mark still hovering over playmaker Michael Morgan (ankle).
But he was adamant about Bowen.
The 31-year-old is still yet to hit top speed at training as he overcomes knee soreness that threatens to end his Cowboys career.
The off contract Bowen is keen to get back on the field and impress - especially after the Cowboys recently signed "insurance policy" Hezron Murgha and speculation swirls that North Queensland have approached Penrith No.1 Lachlan Coote.
"He's not quite at top speed so we will need to see that before he gets on the park," Henry said.
"I thought (stand-in No.1) Clint (Greenshields) played well last week.
"He's made that position his while Mango is out."
North Queensland need to win six of their last eight games to be a finals chance.
Henry denied former Queensland lock Johnson had been dropped, saying he would rest an ankle complaint and return in their next clash against Brisbane following a bye.
Henry said the task of fourth-last North Queensland (6-10) beating fifth-placed Manly (8-1-6) was "not mission impossible".
"They know they have to step up but I think you will find the guys coming in won't let anyone down," he said.
