Cyclone Ului has forced their match to be played two hours earlier but the Cowboys are confident Cyclone Kaufusi can wreak havoc of his own on Saturday night.

A leaner, hungrier and more aggressive Antonio Kaufusi will confront Penrith at Dairy Farmers Stadium keen to build on his eye-catching start to 2010.

The injury-hit Panthers won't just be braced for the gusty winds and pouring rain from Ului, which is set to cross the northern coast near Townsville hours after the match.

Kaufusi was back to his barnstorming best in North Queensland's season-opening 30-24 loss to Brisbane after enduring a quiet first season following his switch from the Melbourne Storm.

"I think it took him a while to settle here with his pre-season last year and I know he's got his weight under control," NQ coach Neil Henry said on Friday.

"It wasn't a major problem but he's 110.5kg rather than 113-114 and he's lighter on his feet and he's got a more aggressive attitude with his role in the team."

Kaufusi played one Test for Australia in 2006 on the back of Melbourne's grand final finish and then debuted for Queensland in State of Origin the following year.

But since then his representative honours have been restricted to playing for Tonga at the 2008 World Cup.

A former Maroons forward, Kaufusi is keen to build on his start and lead the Cowboys pack into battle against Petero Civoniceva's Panthers.

"It's only the first game and there's a of lot of improvement to go so hopefully I can keep improving," he said.

"It's going to test us as forwards with Petero (leading the Panthers pack). It will be a good gauge of where our forward pack is against Penrith."

In a boost to the home side, Henry declared lock Luke O'Donnell a certain starter despite sitting out training this week with a leg problem.

Carl Webb (calf) is fit to return to the Cowboys pack but Henry hinted he would remain 18th man, and also miss out on some much-needed match fitness with their feeder club playing the same day.

The Panthers suffered a blow with Test back-rower Trent Waterhouse missing his second successive match with a quad strain while interchange utility Nathan Smith was also scratched with a groin strain.

Nigel Plum is set to start in the second-row with Frank Puletua to come on to the bench for his first match of the year.

While underdogs, Penrith, 34-16 victors over Canberra last week, have won four of the last five matches between the sides including the last three in Townsville.

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