The Sydney Roosters kicked away late to beat the North Queensland Cowboys 30-16 at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
The Cowboys held more ball and made less errors but some of their sixth-tackle options were less than perfect. In the end, this made all the difference.
The Cowboys earned a number of repeat sets early but it was the Roosters who would strike first.
After a one-one-one strip by Joseph Manu, the Roosters marched downfield. A left-edge move featuring Victor Radley, James Tedesco and Josh Morris saw Daniel Tupou score in the corner.
Just ten minutes into the game, the Roosters were in again. Sam Walker threw a deft inside ball to Radley, who drew Valentine Holmes and found Walker backing up to score. The Roosters were going at a point a minute.
The Roosters right side clicked 15 minutes later with great lead-up work from Walker and Lachlan Lam putting Matt Ikuvalu in the corner.
Two minutes later, when Angus Crichton beat some fairly flimsy defence to score, it seemed like the Cowboys resolve had disappeared.
However, as we have seen with the new sin-bin guidelines set by the NRL, the game can change quickly. It happened again tonight when Sitili Tupouniua took Lachlan Burr high and spent the last ten minutes of the half on the sidelines.
In that time, the Cowboys ran in two tries.
The first came when Sam Walker rushed out of the line to try and cover the overlap. Scott Drinkwater made a diagonal run behind Walker and found Javid Bowen, who dived over.
The second came when Reece Robson made a bust from dummy half and put Drinkwater in under the posts.
A comfortable 18-0 lead had been reduced to 18-10 by halftime.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
The Cowboys scored again two minutes after the break. The Cowboys went left early in the count. Valentine Holmes was able to brush off Walker and run downfield before turning it back inside for Drinkwater. The deficit had been reduced to two.
Holmes missed a penalty goal shortly after, which would have tied the game up.
A bit of James Tedesco magic gave the Roosters some breathing space with just under 30 minutes remaining. From his own half, Tedesco burst out of dummy half and appeared destined for a try. An ankle tap brought him down but a flick pass off the ground to Angus Crichton was all class.
The Cowboys had their chances to tie the game up but some poor last-tackle options let the Roosters off the hook.
With 15 minutes to go, Burr took Tedesco high. Burr went to the bin, Adam Keighran kicked the penalty goal and the Roosters had regained control.
With seven minutes remaining, a left-side play saw Morris push off Feldt and set up Tupou for the match winner.
Despite the mid-game fightback from the Cowboys, the Roosters had held on.
Best players
Three points: Angus Crichton was a force out on the Roosters’ left edge all night, causing plenty of problems for the Cowboys’ defence. His two tries were a fair reflection of his game.
Two points: The Roosters were a better team when Victor Radley was on the field. We know he is hard hitting in defence but he played a ball distributor role, particularly in the first half. This took the pressure off the young Roosters halves.
One point: Reece Robson was fantastic for the Cowboys, with his dummy half runs providing the catalyst for the Cowboys’ attack. He also topped the tackle count.
Rob
Guest
Dutski, I think Teddy is putting himself in a compromising position a little to often. I believe he is trying to get in a position to get to ground quickly to avoid contact, achieve a quicker play the ball and it’s not to get hit high. What really got me a little sceptical about his method of dropping into contact is his reaction to the contact. He was hitting his own head calling for a sin bin? It appeared he was delighted with the result of the contact and was happy to quickly take advantage of an extra interchange? Burr was disappointed he conceded a penalty, In juniors I did a similar thing dropping down as the defender got to me. I had gathered a ball just in front of the goal line and so I didn’t get pushed back into the in goal was happy to get to ground as fast as possible. I got penalised for a voluntary tackle. As a fullback Tedesco has probably got to do this often. I admire Tedesco as a player but I do think good players are also skilful at pulling the wool from time to time. I hope he’s playing in the spirit of the game and doesn’t inspire others to fall into contact.
Nat
Roar Guru
You're right Mark, this is one area where Union has it right with their 'mitigating circumstances'. The old saying that a defender 'cannot disappear' but if they let go he runs away.
MarkD
Guest
Gday Nat, the collapsing is definitely leaving him open for a high shot but wouldn't think Teddy is looking for a penalty however there is a couple of Parra blokes , Nathan Brown and Maika Sivo who have got into the habit of reversing into the defenders and then dropping to the ground immediately followed by both grabbing the back of head claiming a crusher tackle. Firstly what they are doing could create a serious injury to themselves but almost certainly playing for the penalty
MarkD
Guest
Tyson Gamble got 10 in the bin for his shot on turbo which the ref described as 'forceful'. So how Radley didnt get a couple of stints in the bin during the first half for a couple of high shots that were alot more forceful than Gamble's and delivered with the usual Victor intent is just plain bewildering . Love the heavy hitters but its a real fine line between a good shot and one that land's them in trouble. Mistimed, bounce up of rhe ball , ball carrier steps or does a teddy and your on report or in the bin
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Val has got so much better with the ball and he's also gotten better at organising things from the back. What hasn't changed is his poor tackle technique. He should watch tapes of Turbo on a loop . Hes all arms and grab instead of hit with the shoulder. Val is not a small guy. Hes also very strong. He needs to use his bulk and his strength. I am hopeful Payten can turn him around . Watch this space.
Graham
Guest
This was much more impactful as its ten in the bin and right near the end. Tough to watch for the neutral
Dutski
Roar Guru
Dark in there? I was going to try and logic with you but life’s too short. You’ve made up your mind that hitting some blokes high is ok if you don’t like them.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Yeap poor Holmes,an air swing isn't tackling.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Teddy dives like this for his whole career. Teddy the driver falls into most tackles with the ball. Perfect for the Olympic diving team. This tackle wasn't even that bad. Penalty at worst,and a Logie for Teddy.
Rob
Guest
Tupanua not charged? Yep we are officiating with out bias.
Dutski
Roar Guru
It’s a worry and with his history of concussion he does need to look at it. Still can’t hit him in the head though.
Rob
Guest
Can live with a penalty. A bin for Teddy falling into the contact is ridiculous IMO. Holmes in-ability to perform an effective stop is just as ridiculous. He could be a good fullback if he could stop a couple. Obviously you don’t use arms at NFL practice.
Rob
Guest
Every decision whether penalties or 6 again has some impact. 10 in the bin and extra interchange has a more significant impact. To be honestly the difference was the marker defence and less critical missed tackles. Feldt and Holmes made critical misses, Drinkwater kicked a few away when a better option was needed. Teddy made a bust because Burr was called off side at marker (for not being square) . Walker hurt them because Hess was a bit of a statue at marker. That was the difference. Honestly the Roosters have no fear of not being square or giving away a penalty for going early especially defending their line the Cowboys are worried about the whistle and bin.
Rob
Guest
I sort of sound like Flanagan back in the day which is distressing. Win the ruck win the game. Did you notice the difference between Tedesco constantly complaining and McClean? Teddy reminded me of Gallen. McClean hardly spoke.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Spot on D . I thought the bin was harsh but if that's the standard I'm fine with it. Regardless of that he was hit in the freaking head. To say he took a dive is beyond comprehension.
Nat
Roar Guru
I wouldn't say he's a diver by any stretch but he has a real habit of collapsing after he passes for some reason. Not just lately, for years I've noticed this. Now playing as a ball player and going to the line before offloading makes it very difficult for a defender get lower than him in that instant.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Trying to be diplomatic here... but I can’t. Seriously - the contact was high. I thought it was a little unlucky to go to the bin as he was falling in the tackle but the onus is still on the tackler. If you can’t see that and insist that Teddy is a diver then open the other eye and take your head out of your @rse
Wayne Turner
Guest
I take it Teddy is also competing at the Olympics in diving.
Renegade
Roar Guru
#refsfault Never seen a post like this from you before Rob....where’s the eye roll emoji?
Rob
Guest
First line “The Roosters were certainly far too good for the Cowboys “. I’ll probably cry the day the Cowboys get the rules changed the week after they whinge about the officials. No body was targeted more late and off the ball than Thurston but hey that’s part of the game wearing contact. Teddy he’s special so don’t touch him to hard cause he has trouble standing up at times. When is a knee in the back not really a knee in the back?