Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has opted to use Kurt Capewell as his replacement for the injured Luke Lewis in tonight's season-opening encounter with the North Queensland Cowboys, while also springing somewhat of a surprise by starting Co-Captain Paul Gallen from the interchange bench.
Lewis aggravated a foot problem in the teams final training session yesterday, ruling him out of what would have been his 100th appearance for the Sharks.
As for the Gallen switch, Jayson Bukuya moves from the bench into the starting side.
Gallen comes into the game without a trial under his belt, having missed both pre-season matches, hence the decision to bring him into the game after the early sting has gone out of it.
The match will also feature one NRL debutant in Sione Katoa, along with first-time Sharks players in Matt Moylan, Josh Dugan and Ava Seumanufagai.
The Cowboys have also had their preparations disrupted by injury, with Kangaroos five eighth Michael Morgan ruled out with what has been reported as a groin or abdominal problem.
The Shark team for the round one match, which kicks off in one hour, is listed below.
NRL TEAM LIST – Round 1
Sharks v Cowboys
Friday, March 9
1300 SMILES Stadium
Kick-off – 8.05pm (Sydney time)
1. Valentine Holmes
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Josh Dugan
4. Ricky Leutele
5. Sione Katoa
6. Matt Moylan
7. Chad Townsend
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Matt Prior
18. Kurt Capewell
12. Wade Graham ©
14. Jayson Bukuya
Interchange
13. Paul Gallen
15. James Segeyaro
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Joseph Paulo
