Michael Morgan

This exciting collaboration between OTML and the Cowboys demonstrates the company's dedication to strengthening its ties with the local communities.

Cooper and Morgan, both esteemed figures in the rugby league world, played pivotal roles in the Cowboys' historic grand final victory during the 2015 Australian National Rugby League Premiership. They have also represented Queensland in numerous State of Origin clashes and donned the green and gold jersey for Australia in various representative squads, including the Prime Ministers XIII and Kangaroos.

The announcement is a massive boost to the club as the Cowboys prepare to host their Telstra Premiership season launch in Townsville on Friday ahead of star half Johnathan Thurston's final season.

The Townsville-born 26-year-old will line up next to Thurston this year before taking over as the chief playmaker in 2019.

Morgan had previously said he did not want to leave the club that signed him as a teenager and he has proved good to his word.

"I'm stoked to be staying at the Cowboys, a club I grew up supporting and, later in life, proudly playing for," Morgan said.

In a wide ranging interview with NRL.com the off-contract Cowboys half has detailed why money won't be a motivating factor when he signs his next deal, his innermost thoughts on embracing the playmaker role when Thurston was injured in 2017 and the expectation that he will carry if he is to play a key role in the halves for the Maroons in the future.

Morgan has conceded that stepping into Thurston's shoes last year was a nerve wracking experience initially, but a challenge he was determined to rise to. 

Australia will start as unbackable favourites in Brisbane after putting together four comprehensive victories, with their stout defence consistently shutting teams out – so much so that they have not conceded a second-half point for the whole tournament.

Thurston has been a mainstay in the Queensland side, playing all 36 matches since making his debut in 2005 in an incredible display of durability.

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Papua New Guinea’s Police Minister, Robert Atiyafa, has warned people preventing students from returning to university for class will be arrested and prosecuted.

Govt delegation sent to salvage Mt Hagen hospital

The Cowboys confirmed on Friday Morgan had a partial tear in his posterior cruciate ligament after hurting his knee in Queensland's 26-16 Origin victory against NSW in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Morgan is expected to be sidelined for up to a month, with the club expecting him to return for their NRL round 20 clash against Canterbury on July 21.

The Cowboys have the bye the weekend before, meaning there is still a chance Morgan could be fit for the final Origin game in Sydney on July 13.