ABC News

Posted June 7, 2010 08:26:00

The Cowboys will approach tonight's round 13 NRL clash with South Sydney as a must-win, as time continues to run out on their prospects of making a push for the semi-finals.

ABC News understands Cowboys under 20s winger Kyle Feldt will make his first-grade debut in wet and boggy conditions at Sydney's Olympic Stadium, with the club seeking just its fourth win of the season.

North Queensland football operations manager Dean Lance is expecting big games from his forwards, with State of Origin places up for grabs.

"They've spoken and they've talked about it, and said what they are going to do this week, but the time for talking's done," he said.

"Willie Mason, Luke O'Donnell and Carl Webb, they've got to jump behind a guy like Matt Scott who's certainly been the most impressive and consistent player we've had."

Lance it will be a bonus having Johnathon Thurston in the side after he successfully challenged a detrimental conduct charge.

But he says the Cowboys' big men will have their hands full against the Rabbitohs.

"It's no secret that the Rabbitohs certainly get off the back of their forwards and they have (Roy) Asotasi and the Englishman (Burgess) who is a terrific young player," he said.

"They've got some size and do what they do and their halves just run off the back of their steam-rolling forwards."