Roosters v Cowboys: Smith makes NRL return; Townsend cleared to play
After getting it done in torrential Auckland rain in Round 9, the Roosters take on a Cowboys side sure to be reeling from a last-up 44-6 hammering from the Sharks which has left them languishing in 16th place.
The Roosters have found form over the past fortnight after an up-and-down start to the season and will have taken plenty of confidence from holding the Warriors scoreless last week, with their goal-line defence and ability to soak up prolonged periods without the ball standing out in the 14-0 win.
The Cowboys did neither of those things well against the in-form Sharks last week and have been further rocked by suspension and injury ahead of their trip to Suncorp Stadium.
If their performances are to improve it’ll start with their work off the ball, with North Queensland currently possessing the highest missed tackle rate in the NRL, averaging out at 38 per game so far in 2023.
The Roosters have won five in a row against the Cowboys dating back to 2020, and in their two meetings last year the Tricolours outscored North Queensland by a combined margin of 60-22.
Match: Roosters v Cowboys
Round 10 -
home Team
Roosters
8th Position
away Team
Cowboys
14th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Roosters: A couple of changes for Trent Robinson's side. Billy Smith comes into the centres for his first NRL game of 2023 with Drew Hutchison moving to the bench and Jake Turpin to 18th man. Brandon Smith will play despite being taken to hospital last week as a precaution for a neck complaint suffered against the Warriors. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will come off the bench with Matt Lodge to start.
Cowboys: There are no late changes with Heilum Luki (hamstring) and Chad Townsend (calf) getting through the week of training and deemed fit to take the field. Ben Hampton will be 18th man.
Match: Roosters v Cowboys
Round 10 -
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 Corey AllanWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
-
Centre for Roosters is number 21 Billy SmithCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Joseph ManuFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke KearyHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
-
Prop for Roosters is number 17 Matthew LodgeProp for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jack Gosiewski
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 4 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Mitchell Dunn
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Angus CrichtonInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 14 Jake TurpinReplacement for Cowboys is number 19 Ben Hampton
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won their past five games against the Cowboys.
- Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored three tries in two Magic Round games.
- Roosters centre Joseph Suaalii has scored three tries in two games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt has scored four tries in his past four games.
- The Roosters have won all three Magic Round games since 2019.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
