After falling to Penrith last week, it’s now do or die for the Sydney Roosters as they host the in-form North Queensland Cowboys in a the NRL finals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:55pm (AEST).
The Roosters had won a competition leading six straight matches heading into the finals but you would not have known it following their error riddled performance against the Panthers last week.
Sydney simply failed to click into gear against a very determined Penrith outfit and, as a result, were punished accordingly with a narrow one point defeat right on full-time.
The Roosters found themselves twice in match winning positions in the second half, having led 12-4 and 18-12 over Penrith with just minutes to go.
Their failure to close out last week’s match, however, could cost the Roosters dearly tonight as they take on the very dangerous Cowboys.
The concern for the Roosters remains that North Queensland at their best are a far more dangerous proposition than the Panthers. Furthermore, the Cowboys know how to take it to the competitions big guns, downing the Roosters 48-10 in Round 10.
If the star-studded Sydney franchise offer a repeat of last week’s error riddled performance, they will lose convincingly tonight.
The Cowboys have firepower across the park with Johnathan Thurston, Robert Lui and Michael Morgan pulling the strings in attack for North Queensland.
Upfront, the Roosters will have their hands full containing the NRL’s best forward in Matt Scott. Throw in the recent performances of dynamo forward Jason Taumalolo and the Cowboys certainly have what it takes to bully the Roosters big men.
If both teams show up with their best form, tonight’s contest promises to be one of the most entertaining games of the season.
The battle between in-form halves Thurston and Mitchell Pearce will be critical in deciding which team continues their journey towards the grand final.
The Roosters loss to the Panthers last week has robbed the reigning premiers of some much needed momentum, however with the firepower that Sydney possess momentum should be easily swung back in their favour.
The Cowboys meanwhile are in fine form and possess the confidence and skill required to end Sydney’s ambitions of back to back premierships however they will have to do it without enforcer Tariq Sims.
With North Queensland riding high and exciting matchups across the field this game could well be one of the most entertaining of the season.
Tipping: Cowboys by four
Les of Queensland
Guest
Why do we not defect and start our own competition from Queensland and let those in charge, negiotate to have a fair competition. We are losing face due to the refereeing. In the Queensland Cup we do not have even a quarter the amount of mistakes by referee`s and only have one on the field. The Storm and Warrior`s would likely join the Queensland derby. If to continue, Please make the Referee`s accountable. Some of the NSW Teams would probably defect also.
Joel
Guest
Yes, SBW relinquishes the ball and Scott should have been allowed to play it.
Les of Queensland
Guest
What don`t you want to go and see the Referee`s
Not much of an NRL fan
Guest
If its down to who had more points, and you're saying that the roosters are clearly better because they got more points.. then how does Thurstons last minute try (that was given the no try) make them worse a team? Cause the way i see it, he scored that last try, he would have gotten those points IF it weren't for the decision of a NSW ref to say no. Should have ended atleast 31-34. You even see Thurston talking to the ref straight after and the ref said to him, "we couldn't prove he touched it." - Yea, Couldn't prove the rivals touched it, and couldn't really prove it was knocked on either put said it was anyways! Cowboys made their comeback but the ref took it away. QLD fans should be gutted, and so should the Cowboys. Hard not to believe refs are against them when it was clearly their choice to give the cowboys the game or not, and 3 years in a row? Really?
Les of queensland
Guest
I am a Roosters supporter for over 30 years and am delighted for the win, yet who could believe that the focus is on the referees, like nearly every game this season. who could have believed that the Cowboys could have come back from 30 points down to nearly snatch the win. Don`t let the show pony ref anymore in the finals.
Bee bee
Guest
He didn't strip it. Williams virtually drops it on his arm trying to put the ball down.
Jack James
Guest
Grand final tickets $15 Think I`d rather buy 20 rolls of toilet paper, seriously!
Jack James
Guest
Wally is by far the most impartial and fair commentator Channel 9 has and FYI Sylvester the best footballer that has ever played the game. His opinion is worth listening to rather than the mindless, biased rantings of a one eyed Fittler. Enjoy your win. When there's an independent enquiry into salary cap, we'll see what happens.
Jack James
Guest
No! Cowboys 36 Roosters 31 That's the score of fair minding people
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
After they sold the rights for $1 Billion do you think they give a crap about crowds.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
Nah the QRL was and still is crap in comparison, but I kinda get sick off the negative comments in regards to bias towards NSW teams, of course there's bias where do most of the teams come from which state was this comp based.
Jack James
Guest
That's right coops. The on field ref is clearly to blame. He has been given his agenda prior to the game. Couldn't lie straight in bed. Officials get little things wrong enabling Maloney to kick winning field goal. Then stuff up the last play by saying NO TRY and knowing full well they won't overrule the onfield refs decision. I call that selective refereeing. Sydney, you should hang your heads in shame. Travesty of justice and to say otherwise is wrong.
eagleJack
Guest
Are you saying that if someone is facing with their back toward the tryline, the ball cannot be propelled forward towards the tryline? I hope you don't teach physics
LexTeeS
Guest
Intentional irony?
Trenno
Guest
Friends forward pass for a try
Trenno
Guest
interesting that a ball can be hit with the part of the arm that is facing backwards and you still think it was a knock-on? Guess you didn't do physics at school.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
Well it was a knock on. So no thanks... Lui touched it and it went forward.
Nayfo
Guest
Nope it was stripped by Scott so actually two things should have happened. If stripped in the in goal it should have been a line drop out (you can strip a ball in the in goal with multiple tacklers with no penalty) if he stripped it in the field of play like he did it should have been a penalty as there was more than one defender in the tackle.
Joel
Guest
As a Panther, what a sell out ....
Joel
Guest
umm ... because it wasn't short boof