Taniela Sadrugu is a step away from his NRL debut.

The 23-year-old Wailevu, Macuata native has been named on the reserves be­anch for North Queensland Cowboys that will face Viliame Kikau and the Panthers tomorrow in the Indigenous round.

Sadrugu and Tokyo Olympic gold-medal­list Iosefo Masi had joined the Cowboys in November last year under their Train and Replacement contracts.

They have been playing for Mendi Black­hawks, a feeder club for the Cowboys.

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys will travel to Sydney tomorrow to face Pen­rith at the Panthers Stadium at 8pm.

Meanwhile, Cowboys skipper Jason Taum­alolo and star winger Kyle Feldt have been ruled out of the Panthers clash.

Coen Hess replaces Taumalolo in the No.13 jersey, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow slots on to the wing for Feldt. Taumalolo is hopeful that he would be returning next week, while Feldt is facing six weeks on the sideline.

Cowboys team to play Panthers:

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Peta Hiku
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Chad Townsend (c)
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Reuben Cotter
11. Tom Gilbert
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Coen Hess

Interchange

14. Jake Granville
15. Heilum Luki
16. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
17. Griffin Neame

Reserves

18. Taniela Sadrugu
19. Ben Hampton
20. Ben Condon
21. Connelly Lemuelu
22. Riley Price
23. Brendan Elliot
24. Brendan Frei

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