Englishman Scott Moore has won the battle to play hooker for North Queensland after being named at No.9 for the Cowboys’ showdown with last year’s NRL grand finalists Canterbury in Gosford.

Moore is the only new face in Neil Henry’s squad in his 100th game as coach for the club when they face the Bulldogs at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night.

Moore impressed Henry in all three of the Cowboys’ trials, holding out former Melbourne utility Rory Kostjasyn.

Kostjasyn has been named on a six-man bench, which will be cut later in the week, and includes the return of power forward Tariq Sims.

Ray Thompson has won the battle with Robert Lui for the halfback jersey on the back of some good trial displays.

North Queensland have been the target of very heavy backing with bookmakers this week to win their maiden NRL premiership following some impressive pre-season form.

Beaten by Wests Tigers in the 2005 grand final, the Cowboys have recruited well, have depth in the halves and a feared front-row in Matt Scott and James Tamou to provide one of the world’s best players Johnathan Thurston with the go forward to work his magic.

Veteran fullback Matt Bowen, lining up for his 13th straight season, will celebrate his 31st birthday on the night.

North Queensland: Matt Bowen. Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston (capt), Ray Thompson, Matt Scott (c), Scott Moore, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Rory Kostjasyn, Ashton Sims, Tariq Sims, Jason Taumalolo, Scott Bolton, Robert Lui.