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.
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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.
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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.