Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
The Cowboys are missing key men Jason Taumalolo and Tom Dearden and this could get ugly against the free-scoring Roosters in Magic Round. I'm backing Sydney to make it seven wins on the bounce with 50 points likely.
- Roosters have won six of their last eight games vs Cowboys, all by 13+ margins
- Roosters are on a six-game winning streak this season, all by 12+ points
- Roosters have scored 33+ points in five of those six wins
- Cowboys are 0-3 vs top eight teams in 2026, with two of those defeats coming by 28 & 32 points
- Cowboys have leaked 33+ points in three of their last four games
- Sam Walker has scored five tries in his last five games
Roosters vs Cowboys Head To Head
Roosters have won six of the last eight, including a dominant 42-8 victory last year. These teams are also 1-1 in Magic Round meetings, with the Roosters winning 30-16 in 2021 and the Cowboys returning serve with a 20-6 victory in 2023.
Sydney Roosters Form - Six and Counting For The Chooks
The Roosters are the second-best team in the competition, behind the Panthers and slightly ahead of the Warriors heading into Magic Round.
After their traditional slow start, losing two of their opening three games, the Roosters have won six straight, all by big margins and scoring plenty of points in the process.
Sam Walker is starting to rise to the occasion and on the cusp of State of Origin selection, is thriving alongside the experienced DCE.
After toppling reigning premiers Brisbane, the Roosters simply got the job done without ever looking in danger in last week's 28-12 win over the Titans in Gosford.
North Queensland Cowboys Form - Rollercoaster Cows
Six wins from their last eight games is very misleading - North Queensland haven't beaten a team ranked higher than 10th and are 0-3 vs current top eight teams in the Knights, Tigers and Sea Eagles, conceding 28+ points in the latter two.
Last week was classic Cowboys - they were in complete control at home against a lowly Eels side, but somehow coughed up a comfortable lead as the Eels scored two tries in the last five minutes before Mitch Moses slotted the match-winning field goal in golden point.
With Tom Dearden now out for an extended period, the Cowboys face a tough period - they've gone 0-2 without their halfback so far this season.
Roosters vs Cowboys Team News
Victor Radley is suspended for the Roosters, with Lindsay Collins returning to push Spencer Leniu to the bench, while Connor Watson starts at lock.
Liam Sutton makes his NRL debut at five-eighth as Jake Clifford moves to halfback in place for Dearden.
Xavier Kerrisk also makes his NRL debut on the bench, with Soni Luke also injured. Matt Lodge starts for Taumalolo, who is being rested.