Cowboys v Roosters: Mikaele, Luke step up; Savala to start
Two of the form teams of the NRL collide when the eighth-placed Cowboys host the second-placed Roosters to open Round 22.
Todd Payten's men are riding high after ending the Broncos' title defence with an 18-10 victory in front of the Townsville faithful last week while the Roosters made it five on the trot with a narrow win over the Knights.
The battle of fullbacks Scott Drinkwater and James Tedesco promises to be a cracker while Jason Taumalolo and Naufahu Whyte are set to rock the foundations of QCB Stadium when they collide.
The Cowboys got the better of the Roosters in Magic Round so the fact they sit six places behind the Chooks will hold no fears as they chase a return to the finals after finishing 12th last year.
Match: Cowboys v Roosters
Round 22 -
home Team
Cowboys
8th Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Cowboys: Soni Luke takes over at hooker with Reed Mahoney entering the concussion protocols and Tom Mikaele comes into the front row with Griffin Neame suspended. Englishman John Bateman returns from a hamstring injury as part of the six-man interchange alongside Kaiden Lahrs, who plays his first NRL game since Round 3.
Roosters: Tommy Talau takes over on the wing from Daniel Tupou (shoulder) while Hugo Savala comes in at centre for Billy Smith, who has been unable to train due to illness. The new man on the bench is Reece Foley. Prop Lindsay Collins remains sidelined due to ongoing concussion concerns.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott DrinkwaterFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon BurnsWinger for Roosters is number 2 Tommy Talau
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac LaybuttCentre for Roosters is number 3 Hugo Savala
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom ChesterCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
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Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jaxon PurdueHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Thomas MikaeleProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Soni LukeHooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
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Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason TaumaloloProp for Roosters is number 10 Spencer Leniu
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
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2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
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Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben CotterLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Ethan KingInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 John BatemanInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Salesi Foketi
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Matthew LodgeInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen HessInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Taylor Losalu
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Sam McIntyreInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
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Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Kaiden LahrsInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Reece Foley
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'DonnellReserve for Roosters is number 20 Tom Rodwell
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Liam SuttonReserve for Roosters is number 21 Benaiah Ioelu
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Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Ronald PhilitogaReserve for Roosters is number 22 De La Salle Va'a
Cowboys Ins
- John Bateman
- Kai O'Donnell
- Kaiden Lahrs
- Liam Sutton
- Ronald Philitoga
Roosters Ins
- Benaiah Ioelu
- De La Salle Va'a
- Reece Foley
- Tom Rodwell
- Tommy Talau
Cowboys Outs
- Griffin Neame
- Reed Mahoney
Roosters Ins
- Billy Smith
- Daniel Tupou
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Cowboys have won three of their past four games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won four from four at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
- Cowboys winger Braidon Burns has scored four tries in his last three games against the Roosters.
- Roosters centre Billy Smith has scored six tries in his last five games.
- Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored eight tries in his last six games at QCB Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss your chance to take on the high-flying Cowboys as they host the in-form Roosters. Tickets are selling fast, click here to secure your seats today.
