Roosters v Cowboys: Verrills good to go; McLean makes his return
After making a statement by beating the Broncos last week, the Roosters have another chance to prove their mettle against the second-placed Cowboys, who will hunting their fourth win on the trot.
The Tricolours have now put a win between themselves and the ninth-placed Raiders, with skipper James Tedesco in fine touch as he led them to a comfortable win over Brisbane, who up until that result had been among the frontrunners to claim a top-four place.
The Cowboys were made to work for it against the Bulldogs last week, with a late double to Scott Drinkwater helping them to a win which keeps the slim chance of them jumping past Penrith for the minor premiership alive for the time being.
When they met earlier this year it was the Roosters who were convincing 28-4 winners on the road.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Roosters v Cowboys
The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-17 with no late changes. Hooker Sam Verrills has been named and is set to play after being included at hooker. Egan Butcher returns after serving a one-game ban, replacing Ben Thomas on the bench.
Cowboys: The Cowboys are 1-17 with no late changes. After suffering a hamstring injury which denied him a place in the Origin decider, Jordan McLean is back on the Cowboys bench but winger Kyle Feldt remains sidelined with his own hamstring issue. Reuben Cotter comes into the starting side with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown going back to the bench.
Match: Roosters v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Paul MomirovskiCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
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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
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Cowboys is number 8 Coen Hess
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Matthew LodgeProp for Cowboys is number 10 Reuben Cotter
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tom Gilbert
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jordan McLean
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan ButcherInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Luciano Leilua
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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:
Key match-up
James Tedesco v Scott Drinkwater: Two of the NRL’s form fullbacks all year, who head into this clash fresh off impressive showings for their side in round 21. Drinkwater ran for a game-high 183 metres last week, helped by making three line breaks, with his two tries in the final 12 minutes helping his side get past the stubborn Bulldogs. While he didn’t get on the scoring sheet, Tedesco did just about everything else from the back last week, clocking 264 run metres to go with 14 tackle breaks and a pair of line-break and try assists.
Stat Attack
Gone are the days when a trip to Sydney would have been daunting for the Cowboys, with Todd Payten’s men now boasting the second-best away record in the competition with just two away defeats all year. They will fancy their chances even more given the Roosters’ rocky experience at the Sydney Cricket Ground so far this season, having lost four of seven games there.
Match: Roosters v Cowboys
Round 22 -
home Team
Roosters
8th Position
away Team
Cowboys
2nd Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
