The Cowboys have won their third straight, pulling off a miraculous 18-16 upset win over the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in a game missing 11 stars through Origin duties.
North Queensland were rank outsiders to win, and when trailing 16-4 in the 51st minute with Heilum Luki in the sin bin for a dangerous tackle, their task looked to be near impossible.
However, Cowboys star Scott Drinkwater crossed for a try just a few minutes later to trim the margin to six.
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It was 16-12 when Drinkwater knocked over a penalty goal in the 58th minute to set up a grandstand finish.
The Roosters had a number of chances to put the game away, but lacked execution. The Cowboys received a penalty when Joey Manu crossed the line but was ruled to have committed a double movement to do so.
Conversely, the Cowboys took advantage of their chances close to the line in the second half. Kulikefu Finefeuaki ran hard all day, and was rewarded in the 69th minute when running a good line and powered over a couple of Roosters defenders to level the scores in the 69th minute.
Drinkwater would miss the conversion but made up for it a couple of minutes later, knocking over a penalty goal in the 74th minute to give the Cowboys the lead.
The Roosters had half a chance in the final five minutes, none better when Dom Young streaked down the right wing, but the Cowboys’ fullback stepped up again with a huge play, making a try-saving tackle on the Roosters winger to force a knock on.
The Cowboys held their nerve the rest of the way to clinch a famous victory missing Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Val Holmes, Reece Robson and Murray Taulagi.
The Roosters were missing five of their stars as well, including James Tedesco, who was a late out after being called up to the NSW team.
Halfback Sam Walker had a terrific first half, laying on two try assists to help the Roosters to a 14-4 halftime lead.
Terrell May was excellent starting at front row (132m, 41 tackles, nine tackle busts) while Manu had a mixed game at fullback.
Drinkwater was in everything, finishing the game with a try, a try assist, ten tackle busts and 110 running metres.
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MATCH PREVIEW
The Sydney Roosters will look to continue piling on the points as they host the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Trent Robinson’s side will have to do it without superstar fullback James Tedesco after he received a late call-up to the Blues squad amid Dylan Edwards’ injury.
The Roosters have scored 30 points or more in their past five games and will look to continue that streak against the Cowboys, who are coming off a 42-28 win over the Wests Tigers.
Restricting a rampant Roosters side will not be easy given the Cowboys will be missing Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Reece Robson due to Origin call-ups.
TEAM NEWS
Roosters: 4. Joseph Manu 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 17. Michael Jennings 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Sandon Smith 15. Siua Wong 16. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Blake Steep 20. Ethan King 21. Jake Elliott 22. De La Salle Va’a
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tomas Chester 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Thomas Mikaele 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Jason Taumalolo 18. Kaiden Lahrs 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Marly Bitungane 21. Jai Hansen 22. Jaxon Purdue
Source Agencies
