Coach Nathan Brown has finalised his team to take on the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300Smiles Stadium in Round 8.

It's a big game for Sione Mata'utia, as he takes on the captaincy and moves into the halfback position.



Luke Yates fills Mata'utia's departure from the back row, while Jaelen Feeney comes onto the bench.



Newcastle

1. Brendan Elliot, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Peter Mata’utia, 5. Nathan Ross, 6. Brock Lamb, 12. Sione Mata'utia, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Josh Starling, 14. Luke Yates, 12. Sam Stone, 13. Mitch Barnett. Interchange: 15. Anthony Tupou, 16. Jack Stockwell, 17. Jacob Saifiti, 18. Jaelen Feeney.

North Queensland

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. John Asiata, 7. Michael Morgan, 8. Patrick Kaufusi, 9. Blake Leary, 10. Scott Bolton, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 15. Ethan Lowe, 16. Ben Spina, 17. Corey Jensen, 19. Ray Thompson.