Line Up for Round 18 vs Cowboys Announced

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Fri 16 Jul 2021, 03:00 PM

The Roosters' side to take on the North Queensland Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon has been trimmed 24 hours prior to kick-off.

James Tedesco has been rested following the third State of Origin match on Wednesday night as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves takes his place as captain.

Joseph Manu will revert to fullback in his place, with Billy Smith brought into the starting side at centre.

The rest of the side remains as named, with Ben Thomas and Adam Keighran retained as 18th and 19th man respectively, while Tuku Hau Tapuha has been omitted from the squad.

The final line up will be available one hour prior to kick-off at 2:00pm.

Originally Published on 13th July 2021

The Sydney Roosters are proud to announce the Round 18 line up to take on the North Queensland Cowboys at 3pm on Saturday night at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The Tricolours' line up will be bolstered further this week by the addition of State of Origin representatives James Tedesco and Angus Crichton, who return to the side after missing the gritty win against the Bulldogs in Round 17.

The Roosters will travel up to Townsville to do battle with the Cowboys as part of a month-long relocation to the Sunshine Coast, alongside eleven other NSW-based NRL squads who have been allocated into hubs in Brisbane and the Gold Coast respectively.

Despite this, the Club's Round 18 fixture will be unaffected and continues to be scheduled as per program.

Date:	Saturday 17 July
Venue:	Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Gates Open:	1:30pm
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys kick-off:	3:00pm

Trent Robinson's line up will see a handful of changes made to the one that claimed victory last round.

Skipper Tedesco returns at fullback, joined by veterans Daniel Tupou and Josh Morris. Joseph Manu reverts back to centre after filling in for Tedesco, while Matt Ikuvalu retains his spot on the wing following a strong performance against the Bulldogs.

Drew Hutchison and Sam Walker reprise their role in the halves, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Verrills and Isaac Liu named in the front row.

Round 10 Match Highlights: Roosters v Cowboys

The returning Crichton takes his place in the back row alongside Sitili Tupouniua, while Victor Radley will wear the no.13 jersey once again to round off the starting side.

Lachlan Lam, Nat Butcher, Egan Butcher and Fletcher Baker have been named on the interchange bench, while Ben Thomas, Adam Keighran, Billy Smith and Tuku Hau Tapuha take their place on the extended bench.

Saturday night will mark the 41st match between the Roosters and Cowboys since North Queensland entered the competition in 1995, with the Tricolours taking victory in 28 of those (70%) as well as seven of the last ten encounters.

This of course includes the Round 10 victory at Suncorp Stadium in Magic Round, where James Tedesco put on a show to guide Easts to a 30-16 victory in what was certainly an entertaining contest.

Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster, with Section 222 to be the dedicated area for Roosters Members and fans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Please note though that people who have been to a COVID-19 hot spot during the past 14 days before the game may be denied entry into the venue.

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With packages for adults, children and the whole family, as well as plenty of benefits for new and existing Members, be sure to sign up for NRLW Membership and become a True Rooster!

The squads to play this Saturday are as follows:

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 17 Jul

Full Time

Cowboys

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle Feldt

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Connelly Lemuelu

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
Centre for Cowboys is number 19 Javid Bowen

Centre for Roosters is number 19 Billy Smith
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Matt Ikuvalu
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott Drinkwater

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLean

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Isaac Liu
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shane Wright

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Mitchell Dunn

2nd Row for Roosters is number 15 Nat Butcher
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason Taumalolo

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville

Interchange for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tom Gilbert

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Lachlan Lam
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Coen Hess

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Peter Hola

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker