Match Centre

Round 22: Roosters v Cowboys preview

Tedesco brings up two hundred against team number two

September arrives early on Saturday afternoon as the Sydney Roosters host the North Queensland Cowboys in a finals precursor at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Making their penultimate appearance at the hallowed venue after taking up temporary residency in 2019, the Sydney Roosters will be eyeing off a fifth consecutive win for the tenth time during Trent Robinson's tenure.

Blowing the Broncos off the park with a blistering opening quarter during last week's 34-16 victory on home soil, the Roosters could finish the round as high as sixth should results fall in their favour.

Welcoming back Egan Butcher from suspension in place of Ben Thomas on the bench, representative duo Siosiua Taukeiaho and Lindsay Collins remain sidelined through injury. 

Captain James Tedesco will make his 200th appearance in the National Rugby League; debuting in first grade with Wests Tigers a decade ago, the 29-year-old fullback led the Roosters to back-to-back premierships after moving to the foundation club in 2018. 

Heading to Sydney off the back of three consecutive wins, the North Queensland Cowboys will be aiming to move a step closer towards securing a top two finish for the first time in history.

Outlasting the Bulldogs with three tries in the final quarter to prevail 28-14 in Bundaberg last Sunday, coach Todd Payten will be hoping his side can break a four-match run of losses against the Tricolours dating back to 2019.

Jordan McLean has been named to return after sustaining a calf injury prior to Origin III, while Reuben Cotter will start in the front-row with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown reverting to the bench.

The Cowboys will make their first appearance at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon, thereby becoming the final current NRL team to appear at the venue.

Last meeting: Round 4 2022 - Cowboys 4 Roosters 28

Who to watch: Recapturing his dynamic best in recent weeks following an underwhelming start to his second stint at the Roosters, Connor Watson's unique set of skills may prove decisive in getting the top eight hopefuls over the line on Saturday afternoon. Returning to the Eastern Suburbs with a clear identity as a utility after four seasons in Newcastle, the 26-year-old has increased his running game by an additional 50 metres during the side's month-long streak of wins, going from 63 metres on average to 116 per game. Blessed with the versatility to play almost every position on the field, look for Watson to leave a mark on the result in little more than 50 minutes of game time. 

Having already established a reputation as one of the greatest forwards to ever grace a field, Jason Taumalolo has managed to evolve his game more than a decade into his esteemed career. Developing a passing game more becoming of a playmaker than a 115kg behemoth, the 29-year-old forward has produced several subtle plays this season while reducing his workload to the overall benefit of the team. Coming up against Victor Radley, one of the premier ball-playing locks in the league, Taumalolo's influence on the game could be the difference between the Cowboys playing at home or on the road in the second week of September.

The favourite: The Roosters have been installed as narrow favourites in light of their recent resurgence.

My tip: As has been the case so often throughout his esteemed career, a moment of brilliance from Tedesco may be the difference when the fulltime whistle sounds. Roosters by 6.