Robson confident Cowboys are ready to ride high out of rough patch

Hooker Reece Robson believes the Cowboys have begun to turn the corner on a slow start to the year after helping his side to back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Riding high into 2023 after going all the way to a preliminary final last September, injuries and suspensions have test the depth and character of the Cowboys this season, who found themselves sitting in 16th position just two weeks ago.

But after backing up a Magic Round upset against the Roosters with a dominant 42-22 win against the Dragons last week, the 24-year-old dummy-half believes the Cowboys can “get back into the rhythm” that saw the side surge with nine wins from 11 games this time last season.

“Momentum is a big thing in this game, so the longer we can keep that going, the better,” Robson told NRL.com.

“Getting a couple back-to-back really gives us a bit of confidence to take forward.

“Hopefully we can keep it up. I think as more confidence comes and we can keep getting a few wins back-to-back."

Currently without Jeremiah Nanai (suspended), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (head knock), Griffin Neame (throat), James Tamou (ankle) and Jason Taumalolo (knee), Robson knows his side must continue to weather the storm on the injury front with reinforcements on their way.

"Hopefully we get a few players back who have been out for the last few weeks, that would be handy," Robson said. "If we can keep winning a few games while they're out, then it's only going to help when they get back.

“Last year, we got very lucky with injuries, so hopefully we can get a few of those boys that are out at the moment back soon and it would really help us out.”

While the team overall may have produced some fluctuating form, Robson has been one of the Cowboys best and will no doubt be pushing for Origin selection after this year being named in the Blues' extended squad for Origin II and Origin III last year.

Robson was one of six current Cowboys to feature in an Origin squad last year, with Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi joining Nanai as part of the Maroons squad, and said his side needed to ensure they entered the representative period with the right mentality.

“The focus right now is just on myself and the Cowboys and trying to play the best football we can here at club level," Robson said.

"If those things come along, then obviously would be a dream come true and you take those opportunities with both hands.

“Growing up, obviously Origin was still massive for NSW and myself. I lived right on the border actually, so just close enough to dislike everyone through that period.”