North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten has confirmed Origin forward Coen Hess will miss Friday night’s clash with the New Zealand Warriors through injury.
Hess was named in the extended squad for the round five match, meaning he was considered a chance to recover from a shoulder injury in time to take the field at Moreton Daily Stadium.
But on Thursday, Payten confirmed Hess would not suit up for the match.
“Coen Hess isn’t right to go. His range of movement is fine but his strength markers aren’t where they need to be,” Payten said.
Hess’ return date isn’t too far off, though, with Payten revealing he could’ve been rushed back had the Cowboys been desperate.
“I’m sure if it was a final or something like that or a big game at the back end, we could’ve pushed him,” he said.
“But Coen’s really important for us and we need him at 100 per cent fitness.”
Scott Drinkwater is set to line up at fullback in the absence of crowd favourite Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who is also injured.
While Drinkwater hasn’t worn the number one jersey at NRL level in over a xjmtzywyear, Payten said he spent some time at fullback in the Queensland Cup last week and was impressive.
“I thought he was pretty strong in that game,” said Payten.
“I know how excited he is to play. I asked him at the start of the week whether he’d like to play fullback or not and he’s ready to go.”
With a win, the Cowboys could break back into the top four, pending other results.
But Payten said his side couldn’t take the New Zealanders lightly, especially not when first-choice halves pairing Shaun Johnson and Chanel Harris-Tavita were on deck.
“They’ve got all their halves to pick from this week and I think it’s the strongest combination,” he said.
“We’re going to have to be ready to go.”
