At a glance

NRL, North Queensland Cowboys v NZ Warriors

Tonight 9.30pm, 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville

Lachlan Coote, Kyle Feldt, Justin O’Neill, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Te Maire Martin, Michael Morgan, John Asiata, Jake Granville, Scott Bolton, Gavin Cooper (c), Ethan Lowe, Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: Ben Hampton, Coen Hess, Shaun Fensom, Corey Jensen, Braden Uele, Kyle Laybutt, Kalyn Ponga, Javid Bowen.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), David Fusitu’a, Blake Ayshford, Solomone Kata, Ken Maumalo, Kieran Foran, Mason Lino, Jacob Lillyman, Issac Luke, Ben Matulino, Bodene Thompson, Bunty Afoa, Simon Mannering. Interchange: Ata Hingano, Sam Lisone, James Gavet, Ligi Sao, Jazz Tevaga, Tevita Satae, Isaiah Papalii, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. fully get the win.

‘‘Shaun has a big impact on us but we’ve got enough leaders in our team to help out Mase. I’m sure he doesn’t need it but within the group we’re pretty confident.’’

North Queensland have been coping just fine without their inspirational halfback, winning three-straight games since Thurston suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during Origin II.

Queensland utility Michael Morgan has taken control of the side and he’s had plenty of help from fullback Lachlan Coote and hooker Jake Granville.

After securing his services on a mid-season transfer from Penrith, the Cowboys have also had the luxury of calling on promising Kiwi five-eighth Te Maire Martin, who could have been suiting up for the Auckland club had negotiations not fallen over.

Instead, it is three-game rookie Lino who has been promoted for the first time since filling in for Johnson at the back-end of 2015.

While all the expectation is on Foran to deliver, both his and Lino’s jobs will be made much easier if the forwards win the battle in the middle.

After showing signs of improvement during the Origin period, Luke admitted the Warriors pack took a couple of steps back in the twin defeats to Manly and Penrith.

They played well in bursts against the Panthers but faded badly down the stretch as the visitors ran in three soft tries.

Up against explosive big men Jason Taumalolo and Coen Hess, it could be a long night for the visitors if they fail to slow down the ruck tonight.

‘‘We know as a forward pack we haven’t been there the last two games. We managed to start well but we died off,’’ Luke said.

‘‘It’s all about trying to roll them down the park and let [Foran and Lino] take over on the last plays.’’