The showdown between two of the game's elite fullbacks, James Tedesco and Scott Drinkwater, headlines a Saturday blockbuster that promises plenty of points and plenty of entertainment.
Tedesco is locked in battle with Penrith's Dylan Edwards for the NSW Blues No.1 jersey for the Origin opener while Drinkwater has been dynamic for the Cowboys
The clash in the middle between Naufahu Whyte and Jason Taumalolo also promises to be a beauty as the most capped Cowboy of all time looks to stand his ground against the young bull from Bondi who is averaging 159m per game.
These two sides have met twice previously at Magic Round with the Roosters prevailing 30-16 in 2021 and the Cowboys turning the tables with a 20-6 victory in 2023.
Match: Roosters v Cowboys
Round 11 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Cowboys
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Roosters: No late change on game day for Trent Robinson, with players 1-19. Connor Watson is set to start for the first time this year after Victor Radley accepted a one-game suspension. Lindsay Collins is also back in the starting side after missing last week's victory due to concussion. Spencer Leniu returns to the interchange as a result. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update with Taylor Losalu and Junior Tupou omitted.
Cowboys: No late change on game day, with players 1-19. Earlier, Jake Clifford is set to take charge of the attack in the absence of Tom Dearden. Clifford moves to halfback, with debutant Liam Sutton coming into five-eighth. Xavier Kerrisk is also in the frame for an NRL debut after bench utility Soni Luke suffered a knee injury. Jason Taumalolo will be rested from this match, with Matt Lodge to start in his place. Viliami Vailea and Mason Barber made way when the squad was trimmed to 20 on Friday.
Match: Roosters v Cowboys
Round 11 -
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 Daniel TupouWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Hugo SavalaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Cody RamseyWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Liam Sutton
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Cowboys is number 8 Thomas Mikaele
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Cowboys is number 10 Matthew Lodge
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Sam McIntyre
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Connor WatsonLock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Egan ButcherInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Cowboys is number 18 Wiremu Greig
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Fetalaiga Pauga
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 17 Salesi FoketiReserve for Cowboys is number 14 Xavier Kerrisk
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Reece FoleyReserve for Cowboys is number 16 Robert Derby
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won six of their past eight games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won three of their past four Magic Round games.
- The Roosters have scored at least six tries in their last six games.
- Cowboys players Jake Clifford and Griffin Neame will play their 100th NRL games.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored seven tries in his last six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
