The Roosters Crow: Stand-Off at High Noon
In a blockbuster afternoon that features James Tedesco's 200th and Members Round, the Roosters face off against second place in a match that will determine heavily on their ladder position just weeks before the finals begin.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys
Game 43 between the Roosters and Cowboys will see the former host in an afternoon at the Sydney Cricket Ground, looking for their 31st victory since the 1995 season, North Queensland's first in the top grade.
The Tricolours were dominant in their last start against the Cowboys in an entertaining match up in Townsville, running in six tries in a 28-4 victory back in April.
Since then, however, the Cowboys have propelled themselves into the top four in an impressive turnaround from 2021, with their head coach Todd Payten moulding a number of young players in the process.
Easts themselves have run themselves into recent form with four consecutive victories since the bye, including a scalp over fellow finals side the Broncos, and with Tedesco's milestone, they will be looking to continue their momentum with the two competition points.
Round 4 Highlights: Roosters vs Cowboys
How They Line Up
Trent Robinson's side to face North Queensland has had one change made from last week, with Egan Butcher returning to the line up.
Captain James Tedesco once again lines up at fullback in his milestone match alongside Daniel Tupou, Paul Momirovski, Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii in a star-studded backline.
Match: Roosters v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Paul MomirovskiCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Matthew LodgeProp for Cowboys is number 10 Reuben Cotter
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tom Gilbert
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jordan McLean
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan ButcherInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Luciano Leilua
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Griffin Neame
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Adam KeighranReplacement for Cowboys is number 20 Jake Granville
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
The halves combination of Luke Keary at five-eighth and Sam Walker at halfback has been retained for a fourth consecutive week, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Verrills and Matt Lodge have been named up front.
Coming off a double last week, Nat Butcher lines up against fellow try-scorer Angus Crichton in the back row, while Victor Radley returns to take his place in the no.13 following a vintage performance against the Broncos.
The interchange bench features Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Drew Hutchison in his 50th Roosters game, as well as Terrell May.
Named on the extended bench are Adam Keighran, Fletcher Baker, Kevin Naiqama, Ben Thomas and Siua Wong.
Their opponents the Cowboys welcome veteran Jordan McLean onto the interchange bench, but lose experienced winger Kyle Feldt, who has been replaced with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The only other change to their side is the promotion to the starting line up of Reuben Cotter, with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown reverting to the interchange.
Key Match Up: James Tedesco vs Scott Drinkwater
How could we go past the milestone man and the young up-and-comer?
James Tedesco has been the definition of consistent in 2022 ahead of his 200th match in the top grade, scoring eleven tries, assisting in twelve, and breaking the line on fifteen occasions while running an average of 217 metres with the ball in hand.
His opposite Scott Drinkwater has enjoyed arguably his best season in the NRL to date, thriving in his early season shift to fullback and guiding the Cowboys to second on the ladder with ten tries, fourteen assists, eleven breaks and 140 metres on average.
A dry track and beautiful conditions on the SCG aren't the only things to expect on Saturday afternoon - because these two fleet-footed fullbacks will be looking to tear up the turf come 3pm.
What They Said
Final Verdict
The Roosters will be determined to rise to the occasion for their courageous Captian, with a formidable opponent standing in the way of their recent progress.
Be sure to help celebrate Tedesco's 200th at the family-friendly time of 3pm as we prepare for our latest blockbuster - purchase your tickets here as the Tricolours gun for five straight wins.
The Sydney Roosters winter merchandise range is now available - so be sure to get your threads here and rug up for the remaining month of the competition before the finals heat up!
