The first semi-final of the 2014 NRL finals competition will see the Sydney Roosterstake on the red-hot North Queensland Cowboysat Allianz Stadium, Sydney.
It is said that momentum is everything in finals football, and in this opening semi-final momentum is most certainly in the Cowboys’ favour.
Riding high on the back of a mercurial season-long performance by Johnathan Thurston, who has been particularly sparking in their remarkable post-Origin run, North Queensland have transformed themselves from perennial pretenders to genuine title contenders.
On the other hand, the Roosters were dealt a shock loss against the Panthers last week, but are still in good position to progress further in this finals series
MORE NRL Finals:
» FULL NRL FINALS DRAW
» 2014 NRL Finals: Full guide to week 2
» Tim Gore’s stat attack: Roosters vs Cowboys is too close to call
» Tim Gore’s stat attack: Manly vs Bulldogs
» Roosters stars will chase the Cowboys out of town
» Full match information, team lists
While some may sully the side based on their performance in past years, the Cowboys 2014 regular season statistics do not lie.
At the end of the regular season the side was placed first in the competition in total runs (4086), third in completions per game (75) and second in tries (105). They also have missed the second fewest tackles all season (589), and have the second highest conversion success at 71.4 per cent (75 of 105).
Given this high standard is it is somewhat surprising that the Cowboys failed to finish higher than fifth on the ladder, but their performances have shown them to be one of the few teams that can threaten the Roosters, who were red hot before their loss against Penrith last weekend.
The tale of the tape reads equally impressively for the Roosters.
The Sydney-based side finished first in the competition in tries (106), just one ahead of their semi-final rivals. The side also finished first in line breaks (127) and conversion completion percentage (81.1 per cent – 86 of 106), and equal fifth in tackle breaks (715).
Uncharacteristically, though (considering the talent that the Roosters possess through Sonny Bill Williams, Boyd Cordner, Aidan Guerra and Anthony Minichiello) the side finished last in offloads with 181. Their execution and discipline was also poor in 2014 conceding the third most errors (288) and conceded the second most sin-bins with two.
Statistically, these two teams represent an intriguing matchup, and through such an analysis the Cowboys should arguably edge out the Roosters possessing slightly over favourable defence and attack averages.
| Player | Sonny Bill Williams | Anthony Minichiello | Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | Johnathan Thurston | Jason Taumalolo | Michael Morgan |
| Played | 18 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Tries | 3 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 0 | 0 |
| FG | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Points | 12 | 60 | 24 | 208 | 24 | 36 |
| Tackles | 406 | 644 | 60 | 324 | 460 | 117 |
| Run metres | 2234 | 2674 | 3343 | 1403 | 2889 | 2590 |
Statistics, however, do not make a match.
The Roosters will be ruing a missed opportunity and lapse in judgement that saw them fall to a brilliant Jamie Soward field goal – such a costly error that has put the side’s premiership defence in jeopardy.
But they still possess one of the best rosters of any team in the competition.
With the thought of their season ending prematurely the Sydney-siders will undoubtedly want to lift their performance. The return of Aidan Guerra and escape of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension will booster the Roosters’ chances of eliminating the Cowboys.
Similarly, the availability of Jake Friend and James Maloney will also be critical.
For North Queensland, the suspension of Tariq Sims has seen the enforcer play his last game in Cowboys colours. Winger Kyle Feldt is under an injury cloud having twisted his ankle attempting to shrug a Ben Barba tackle.
Despite these issues, the Cowboys were near perfect in their first 40 minutes against the Broncos and will have to perform to similarly high standards if they are to outshine the Roosters at home.
| Winners | Score | Home/Away | Date | Season |
| Cowboys | 42 – 10 | 1300Smiles Stadium | 17 May | 2014 |
| Roosters | 8 – 12 | 1300Smiles Stadium | 18 May | 2013 |
| Cowboys | 12 – 50 | TIO Stadium | 14 Apr | 2012 |
| Cowboys | 20 – 6 | 1300Smiles Stadium | 28 May | 2011 |
| Roosters | 18 – 8 | 1300Smiles Stadium | 04 Sep | 2010 |
Sydney Roosters
1. Anthony Minichiello
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
4. Michael Jennings
5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Jake Friend
10. Sam Moa
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Aidan Guerra
Interchange: Mitchell Aubusson, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Isaac Liu, Remi Casty, Kane Evans.
North Queensland Cowboys
1. Michael Morgan
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Kane Linnett
4. Tautau Moga
5. Antonio Winterstein
6. Robert Lui
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Matthew Scott
9. Rory Kostijasyn
10. Ashton Sims
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Glenn Hall
13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: Ray Thompson, Scott Bolton, Ethan Lowe, James Tamou.
Kickoff: 7.30pm AEST
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Last meeting: Cowboys 42-10 Roosters
History: Cowboys 9, Roosters 21
TV: Live Channel Nine
Betting: Roosters $1.47, Cowboys $2.75
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