Saturday, Bluetongue Stadium, 7.30pm
Referee: Ben Cummins

The Cowboys were struggling even with Johnathan Thurston and Carl Webb in the side, so how are they going to go without them? Halfback Thurston, prop Webb and another Cowboys forward - Jacob Lillyman - have been lost to the Queensland side for Origin I. The Sea Eagles, despite being grand finalists last season and sitting nicely in fourth place on the competition table, have only lost one player - fullback Brett Stewart, to NSW.

The Sea Eagles have taken this home game to Gosford, so at least the Cowboys don't have to go to Brookvale Oval, but it is still hard to imagine the Cowboys winning. They have lost three in a row, compared to the Sea Eagles having won three straight, and their results are usually much worse when Thurston - rated as the world's best player - is not there. You may ask: How can they can get any worse? Good question.

Anthony Watts has looked good coming off the bench as a back-up hooker for the Cowboys, but now he has been asked to fill in for Thurston and that is obviously a huge challenge. The Sea Eagles have stars like halfback Matt Orford, five-eighth Jamie Lyon, centres Steve Matai and Steve Menzies and second-rower Glenn Stewart to make something happen. They should win comfortably.

Late mail

Former Queensland centre Steve Bell (elbow) is out of the Manly side to face North Queensland on Saturday night at Gosford. Adam Cuthbertson is likely to start, with Steve Menzies expected to switch to the centres.

The Cowboys travelled to the Central Coast yesterday afternoon with Ty Williams on standby, however they are expected to be as per program.

SEA EAGLES: Michael Robertson, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, TBA, Steve Matai, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford (capt), Brent Kite Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Steve Menzies, Glenn Stewart, Luke Williamson. Interchange: Vic Mauro, Glenn Hall, Adam Cuthbertson, Mark Bryant, Heath L'Estrange. (one to be omitted)

COWBOYS: Ashley Graham, Mark Henry, Ben Harris, Ben Farrar, John Williams, Justin Smith, Anthony Watts, Ray Cashmere, Aaron Payne (capt), Shane Tronc, Steve Southern, Daniel Abraham, Luke O'Donnell. Interchange: David Faiumu, Sam Faust, Ben Vaeau, Dayne Weston.