The North Queensland Cowboys are through to the NRL grand final after a 13-point roller coaster victory over the Sydney Roosters in the second preliminary final at Allianz Stadium.
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Final score
Sydney Roosters 16
North Queensland Cowboys 29
The Sydney Roosters might be favourites to advance to the grand final, but the North Queensland Cowboys have already forced two September upsets. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
Supposed to be making up the numbers, the Cowboys have been the story of the NRL finals.
The Townsville-based club first went past the Cronulla Sharks in an extra-time thriller, defending their heart out for 90 mintues to make the reigning premiers eat the dust, before they ran away from the Parramatta Eels with a genuinely brilliant second-half performance in last week’s semi-final.
Bolstering North Queensland spirits, co-captain and representative prop Matt Scott has been named on the reserves and is an outside chance to make his return. It would be a huge boost to have a big-game player of Scott’s calibre back on the park.
Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo have led the charge though. Morgan’s options, vision and short-range kicking game have been phenomenal. Taumalolo meanwhile, is doing his usual metre-eating, running for 250 in both matches.
If the Roosters are going to live up to their favouritism and get through to the big dance, they need to stop Taumalolo. He averaged over 200 metres during the regular season though, and for most clubs, it’s proven nearly impossible.
They will have had a week to think about it. Trent Robinson’s men put on an uninspiring performance in the first week to go past the Brisbane Broncos in a qualifying final.
While the Roosters dropped a lot of ball, made bad defensive reads and poor decisions in attack, they did just enough to scrape over the line and avoid having to play last week or a trip to Melbourne this week.
Instead, they get home-ground advantage and a huge opportunity against a club who have been battling.
While the Roosters’ forwards must stop Taumalolo, the whole side must play 80 minutes. They have drifted in and out of games like a yo-yo at times in the last two months, and the Cowboys at this time of the year will make the tri-colours pay dearly if they were to drop off.
Prediction
I wrote off the Cowboys against the Sharks, got on the bandwagon last week and won’t be dropping off now. There’s just too much doubt in what the Roosters are going to serve up. You know exactly what to expect from the Cowboys, and in this case, it should be enough.
Cowboys by 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the second NRL preliminary final from 7:40pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Monsanto
Guest
Monsanto
Guest
Monsanto
Guest
Roy Masters and others have said the refs want a close game - thats not rigging the game. One score games are a staple to keep people away from the remote and Greenberg boasted in the first week of the finals 4 close games. NRL execs in the past have said NRL provides close games in comparison to AFL. If you are an aspiring ref you need to read the tea leaves.
Dean
Guest
The Cowboy's Bandwagon just went past my house with twenty-five thousand new supporters on board.
waldoh
Guest
What a great team. They'll need to be to beat the storm.
Darren John
Guest
Cowboys made a promise to the greatest player YES JT just like QLD did in origin 3 this year said let's win for our mate our friend brother the greatest because he would do it for each & every one of he's team mate's well put it this way if the greatest player made a promise to a friend brother a team mate in he's position YES nothing but win &win & ball in he's hand with 10 seconds to go he will win for he's team mate's & brothers he's state YES I'm talking about the greatest player Johnathan Thurston black magic don't for get about the White Superman just quietly Clive Churchill medal he will win & score a grand final try that will go down as folklore & Kangaroos 7 do what u do Michael Morgan u deserve all what a player &Daly M 4 out of 4 yer one origin 2 DMedal 3 CCMedal 4 half back world cup NQ 2017 premier's
Bunney
Roar Rookie
And no pressure. The public wrote them off during Origin when JT followed Scott into season-over injury shed. There is literally no pressure, and they're enjoying the ride. No pressure = composure. If they maintain the rage, it'll be close.
Rob
Guest
Booking tickets as we speak. Love to play this GF at Suncorp. A hell of a lot less travel and expense.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nice one mate. Enjoy the week and good luck for the big one!
R N
Roar Rookie
NIce!
Adsa
Guest
Thanks Scott
R N
Roar Rookie
2 kicks out on the full! Blood test is +ve!
Oingo Boingo
Guest
The Roosters just weren't good enough, the Cows came in a swarm. This Roosters hopes a week from now they beat the f#%king Storm. Good luck Jim Jim Jimmeeeeyyyy
Scott Pryde
Expert
And the NSW Cup final, and the Dally M's, and all three games next Sunday... But yeah. Cheers mate!
Azzabru
Guest
Roosters beat themselves, they gift too much to opponents, watch them next year, young team , will learn from this, anyhow, lambs to the slaughter now the cowboys!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Good call Scott, just the big one to go now mate... enjoy!
Joe
Roar Rookie
On their finals performances they are more than a chance. They are an 80 minute team which is why they are in the GF instead of the Roosters. Also there just seems to be that team dynamic and camaraderie that is essential in the big games. Just the positivity that you see in the playing group as they sit in the sheds. Its going to be an awesome GF.
Josh
Guest
Roy Masters? The same bloke who said NRL wanted the Eels to win the premiership two weeks ago? I think there's a bit of safety in discrediting what he spews. Especially any nonsense of the comp being rigged.
Dfenda
Guest
All great points and I agree. To me, Kanes try was the best! That MM pass was as slick as it was special! Go the Cowboys!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Haha enjoy it Jimmmy... this is a truly special effort and probably more enjoyable than the 2015 ride was too!