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The Roosters returned to the winners' circle last round to beat the Knights in a result that has sparked plenty of discussion and will be aiming to silence any critics with a strong win against the Cowboys. 

While some may have thought them lucky to have scored the last try awarded to Siua Wong in the 12-8 win, the Roosters didn't give up for the entire game and made sure they took their chances when they needed to at the as the game drew to a close. 

The Cowboys are coming off a record home loss and will be keen to put a horror game against the Dolphins behind them where they leaked 10 tries in their 58-4 loss.

As well as having their Origin stars out, they had a disrupted start to the game with experienced forward Jason Taumalolo ruled out in the warm up, which threw their best laid plans into disarray.

Coach Todd Payten will be hoping his side can regroup and put in a strong performance that can see them reclaim a spot in the eight.

Team News

Roosters: Maroons reps Robert Toia and Lindsay Collins and Blues trio Connor Watson, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu have all been named to play should they come through Origin Two unscathed. Toia's return sees Mark Nawaqanitawase push out to the wing to fill the hole left by Dom Young's departure to the Knights. The shuffle up in the pack sees Siua Wong, Naufahu Whyte and Salesi Foketi retain their spots while Makahesi Makatoa and Taylor Losalu drop to the reserves while Victor Radley and Egan Butcher have entered the concussion protocols. The squad remains unchanged from the 24-hour update, with Tom Rodwell dropping out of the side with Ethan King remaining 18th player. 

Cowboys: Todd Payten has made several late changes ahead of today's clash with the Roosters. Griffin Neame and Kai O'Donnell are late inclusions in the run-on side, with Coen Hess and Jeremiah Nanai shifting back to the interchange. Tom Duffy has been added to the interchange, with Tom Mikaele dropping out the 17. Earlier, Payten confirmed on Saturday that Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson won't back up after Origin Two, but Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai will play. Braidon Burns, Karl Lawton and Sam McIntyre have come into the starting side and Kai O'Donnell joins the bench. The Cowboys have been dealt a blow with Jason Taumalolo's return from a calf injury delayed by another week, however they are set to welcome back John Bateman from suspension. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Robert Derby
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
    Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Zac Laybutt
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
    Centre for Cowboys is number 22 Braidon Burns
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
    Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith
    Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jaxon Purdue
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Hugo Savala
    Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
    Hooker for Cowboys is number 19 Karl Lawton
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Naufahu Whyte
    Prop for Cowboys is number 16 Griffin Neame
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 John Bateman
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
    2nd Row for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'Donnell
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Salesi Foketi
    Lock for Cowboys is number 15 Sam McIntyre

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Benaiah Ioelu
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Zach Dockar-Clay
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake Steep
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Harrison Edwards
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
    Interchange for Cowboys is number 23 Thomas Duffy

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
    Replacement for Cowboys is number 17 Thomas Mikaele

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Roosters have lost four from five at Allianz Stadium this season.
  • The Cowboys have won their last two games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters fullback James Tedesco has scored 11 tries in his last 13 games at Allianz Stadium.
  • Cowboys hooker Reece Robson has scored four tries in six games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored nine tries in his last 10 games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.