Match Report | Round 11 v Cowboys

Saturday's second game featured the Roosters, who were chasing a seventh win on the bounce.

However, standing in their way was a Cowboys outfit capable of big things on their day. While missing a few of their key players, stars Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford helped to steer them to a fourth win in seven visits to Magic Round.

We close out Super Saturday with two last-start winners looking to build momentum in front of a big crowd - the Eels and Storm.

Parra will be riding high after pulling a great escape in Townsville while Melbourne halted a seven-game losing streak by putting the cleaners through Wests Tigers last Sunday.

Follow all the Magic Round action on NRL.com's live blog.

Eels v Storm at Suncorp Stadium

35th min: They get the scrum ... but put the ball down on the first tackle and now the Eels have the chance to attack inside their 10. 

35th min: It's a challenge-a-thon, with Storm now contesting a call of a knock on against Faalogo. They are successful as well and get a scrum.

34th min: A success captain's challenge now for Parramatta with Tallyn Da Silva knocking on after Cameron Munster, giving the Eels possession back. 

Crowd: There are 48, 692 people in for the final game.

28th min: Storm with a successful captain's challenge after Howarth is pinged for a knock on. Grant questions the challenge in the air and it comes of Kelma Tuilagi, meaning an Eels knock on.

21st min: Leo almost has another off a great kick return, but Josh Addo-Carr gets him 20 out from the line and forces him to knock on. It was a fantastic effort from Leo, but he had to slow down to look around to see who who he could pass it too, with Moses also chasing. 

16th min: Storm score a try of the weekend contender, finished off by Jack Howarth on the left edge. It starts with a run from dummyhalf from Harry Grant, before an interchange of passing between Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Munster and Sua Faalogo and before eventually getting to their centre to does the rest. Meaney converts for 10-4.  

11th min: The Storm don't take long to respond in style, with Moses Leo - recalled on the wing for the injured Hugo Peel - showing his speed down the left edge to score. Nick Meaney's conversion attempt from the sideline also misses and it's 4-4. 

8th min: Perth-bound Eel Sean Russell gets the first try of the game, capitalising after the Storm give up a penalty. The Eels had done well earlier to deny the Storm who had a concerted effort at their line. Mitchell Moses can't convert from the left sideline and it's 4-0 to the Eels. 

Kick off: Storm kick off and Eels have first use of the ball. 

Late Mail

Eels: No late changes on game day. Ronald Volkman is set to retain a spot in the starting halves despite Jonah Pezet's return from suspension. Volkman has impressed throughout the past month, with Pezet instead listed in the reserves and named to play halfback in NSW Cup. Hooker Ryley Smith remains at least a week away from returning from a sternum injury, with Tallyn Da Silva to again start at hooker. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.

Storm: Only the one change for the Storm on game day, with Josiah Pahulu in contention for his first Storm game after coming onto the six-player bench. Sua Faalogo is set to take his place at fullback after being cleared of a facial fracture earlier this week. No such luck for young gun Hugo Peel, who has been ruled out with a knee injury. Moses Leo comes on to the wing as a result. The extended bench features Round 10 debutant Stanley Huen.

Roosters v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium

Press conferences

Full-time: A proper upset at Magic Round with the Cowboys posting a tight 18-12 win. Despite having two players in the sin bin throughout the game, the Cowboys were able to rally to deny the Roosters.

76th min: Scott Drinkwater has a try overturned after he drops it due to the defensive attention of Connor Watson. Score remains 18-12 to the Cowboys.

76th min: Next up, it's North Queensland's turn to have a successful challenge, with Reed Mahoney regaining possession after putting in a little kick and collecting the rebound. 

74th min: The Roosters lose a captain's challenge with Egan Butcher ruled to have knocked on with the force of a Chester tackle. 

Injury update - Cowboys winger Braiden Burns has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, forcing Tom Chester out to the win and Heilum Luki to the centres.

63rd min: The rain is starting to come down again at Suncorp Stadium and the Roosters botch an attacking attempt, with Tedesco kicking far too long and giving Cowboys relief. 

56th min: With a one-player advantage, Roosters capitalise with Walker getting the ball out to the left edge where Hugo Savala scores. Walker converts and it's 18-12 to the Cowboys.

55th min: After a back-and-forth start to the second half, the Roosters have a try denied after Sam Walker kicks ahead and chases through and knees it further into the goal posts, it brushes his thumb, but he is tackled without the ball by Reuben Cotter. After a lengthy review, Cotter is sent to the sin bin.

Half-time summary: Sam Walker has 40 minutes to confirm his Origin debut for Queensland after the Cowboys overcame the loss of a player to the sinbin to lead an injury hit Sydney Roosters 18-6 at halftime. When prop Matt Lodge was sinbinned for a high shot the Cowboys trailed 6-0 but they levelled the scores as he returned and piled on to more tries before the interval. The Roosters made 11 first half errors but many of those could be put down to the defence of the Cowboys and the pressure they exerted. If Walker is locked into a contest with Roosters halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans and North Queensland playmaker Jake Clifford for the Maroons No.7 jersey, the Cowboys playmaker is on top.      

33 min: Another Roosters error; another Cowboys try after Pauga lost the ball near his own line. Burns scored his second try. Clifford converted. Cowboys 18 Roosters. 

28 min: Scott Drinkwater has put the Cowboys ahead after Toia spilled a bomb from NRL debutant Liam Sutton. Clifford converted. Cowboys 12 Roosters 6.

26 min: Tedesco has lost the ball in a crunching tackle by Cowboys secondrower Sam McIntyre near the Roosters line.

22 min: Winger Braidon Burns has crossed in the corner off a Jake Clifford pass. Clifford converted from the sideline. Roosters 6 Cowboys 6 

20 min: Chester has bundled Savelo into the touch to put the Cowboys on the attack.

18 min: Butcher bombed another try after winning the race for a perfectly weighted Walker grubber only to fumble the ball. 

13 min: The Roosters have two players undergoing HIAs now, after Collins was taken from the field with blood streaming from his head. It is unclear whether Tupou will return. Hugo Savale is currently playing left wing, with Egan Butcher in the centres.

12 min: Matt Lodge has been sent to the sinbin after a high shot on Roosters prop Lindsay Collins. 

11 min: Pauga has been called from the field for a HIA.

10 min: Cody Ramsey has scored his first in 1051 days after a remarkable NRL comeback from illness. Ramsey merely had to catch the pass from Toia after Connor Watson grubbed between two defenders for the Tonga centre. Sam Walker converted from the sideline. Roosters Cowboys 0.

8 min: Tom Chester is on report after a spectacular mid-air collision with Pauga.

7 min: Tonga winger Daniel Tupou has come from the field just minutes into his 299th NRL appearance. He has been replaced by Junior Pauga.

5 min: The Roosters survived their first defensive test and are now threatening at the other end.

2 min: We are underway with the Cowboys on the attack after the Roosters conceded two penalties in as many minutes.

Late Mail

Roosters: No late change on game day for Trent Robinson, with players 1-19. Connor Watson is set to start for the first time this year after Victor Radley accepted a one-game suspension. Lindsay Collins is also back in the starting side after missing last week's victory due to concussion. 

Cowboys: No late change on game day, with players 1-19. Jake Clifford is set to take charge of the attack in the absence of Tom Dearden. Clifford moves to halfback, with debutant Liam Sutton coming into five-eighth. Xavier Kerrisk also makes his NRL debut after bench utility Soni Luke suffered a knee injury. Jason Taumalolo will be rested from this match, with Matt Lodge to start in his place. 

Numbers Game

• The Roosters have won six of their past eight games against the Cowboys.
• The Cowboys have won three of their past four Magic Round games.
• The Roosters have scored at least six tries in their last six games.
• Cowboys players Jake Clifford and Griffin Neame will play their 100th NRL games.
• Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored seven tries in his last six games. 

Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium

Dynamic duo: Clayton Faulalo and Jason Saab were lethal on the right edge for the Sea Eagles. Faulalo ran for 262 metres, laid on two tries and had four tackle breaks while Saab scored a hat-trick and ran for 253 metres.

Full-time: The Sea Eagles make it six wins from seven games under Kieran Foran while Wests Tigers are going in the opposite direction with three losses on the trot.

79 min: Kai Pearce-Paul has the final say for the Tigers as Jock Madden's kick is regathered by Patrick Herbert who gets a pass to the back-rower and KPP scores. Herbert converts. Sea Eagles 46-18

78 min: The Sea Eagles look to have hit the half-century as Jamal Fogarty's grubber sits up for Reuben Garrick who gets over but replays show he lost the ball as he attempted to ground it. We stay at 46-12.

77 min: Terrell May comes up with the Tigers' ninth error of the day and they are under the pump again.

75 min: A consolation try for the Tigers as Jeral Skelton gets over in the corner after good lead-up from Kai Pearce-Paul, Jock Madden and Patrick Herbert. The conversion attempt from Madden is unsuccessful. Sea Eagles 46-12

74 min: More drama for the Tigers as centre Taylan May leaves the field with a shoulder injury.

71 min: Ben Trbojevic is penalised for a high tackle.

67 min: Alex Seyfarth throws a sloppy offload and the Tigers turn the ball over again. The Sea Eagles march down field and Clayton Faulalo tries to get a ball over the top for Jason Saab but the pass travels forward.

66 min: Patrick Herbert knocks on. The Tigers challenge but come up empty. Challenge lost. Manly on the attack from 30m out.

65 min: More space for Jason Saab who gets a grubber back inside which is regathered by Reuben Garrick but the Tigers scramble back to shut it down.

62 min: The carnage continues as Haumole Olakau'atu explodes into space again before the Sea Eagles go quickly to the right and Jason Saab glides in for a hat-trick courtesy of another pinpoint Clayton Faulalo pass. Reuben Garrick again converts. Sea Eagles 46-8

60 min: On the back of a six-again call the Tigers can't hang on as Taniela Paseka carries two defenders over the line with him to score under the sticks. Reuben Garrick converts. Sea Eagles 40-8

58 min: Jamal Fogarty chips ahead from 30 metres out, Heath Mason throws an arm out to impede Fogarty's run. Jock Madden gets back to knock the ball dead. Mason is binned for a professional foul. The Tigers go down to 12 men.

56 min: All too easy on the right edge for Manly as Jason Saab makes it a double courtesy of a superb long ball by Clayton Faulalo, who is having a stormer. Haumole Olakau'atu runs a decoy and attracts all the attention and Faulolo picks them off out wide. Reuben Garrick misses his first kick of the afternoon. Sea Eagles 34-6

49 min: Ethan Roberts battles to get to his feet to play the ball but loses control and the Tigers are under the pump again. 

47 min: Lehi Hopoate leaves the field for a HIA. Patrick Herbert is placed on report for the tackle. Hopoate passes his assessment.

44 min: Haumole Olakau'atu is simply too big and too strong on the right edge as the Tigers pay a price for another error coming out of their own end. Reuben Garrick again adds the extras. Sea Eagles 30-6

42 min: Jason Saab again has the height to bring down an attacking bomb but he is too close to the sideline and is bundled out.

Origin audition: Barnstorming back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu scattered Tigers defenders for fun as he made NSW Blues selectors sit up and take notice. The Big O had eight runs for 101 metres and broke four tackles to go with a try assist for Clayton Faulalo.

Half-time: The Sea Eagles came up with six line breaks to one as their speed men tormented the Tigers on the edges. Fullback Clayton Faulalo racked up 174 run metres and wingers Jason Saab and Lehi Hopoate combined for 262 metres as Kieran Foran's men took charge. All three men bagged a try as well.

40 min: An offside penalty against Manly gives the Tigers a shot at goal. Jock Madden converts the penalty. Sea Eagles 24-8

39 min: Jason Saab scrambles back to defuse a Jarome Luai grubber. Sea Eagles dropout.

38 min: A penalty against Manly while in possession for a player getting involved in the play without getting back onside.

37 min: Luke Brooks goes high but Heath Mason comes up with a safe catch to allow the Tigers to come out of their own end.

33 min: Haumole Olakau'atu hits the line and delivers an offload in contact for Clayton Faulalo to race away and score Manly's fourth try. Reuben Garrick bangs over the extras. Sea Eagles 24-6

31 min: Jock Madden looks to have come up with a 40-20 but Clayton Faulalo does a great job to tap the ball back into the field of play. Faulalo picks it up and is taken high by Madden who is placed on report.

26 min: Jarome Luai grubbers, Luke Brooks cleans up, Heath Mason traps the Manly No.6 in goal. The short dropout is collected by Jason Saab and Manly come away on the back of a penalty for ruck interference.

22 min: The Tigers are on the board through Luke Laulilii after quick hands from Jarome Luai and Taylan May creates space for the left winger. Jock Madde adds the extras. Sea Eagles 18-6

19 min: Jason Saab goes high to bring down a bomb just short of the tryline but the Tigers manage to hold him up.

On report: Patrick Herbert goes on report for a grapple tackle and Manly's Lehi Hopoate goes on report for pushing referee Grant Atkins in the back as he chased through after a bomb.

16 min: Sione Fainu comes up with an error on his own 40-metre line and the Sea Eagles make them pay when Luke Brooks and Tolu Koula combine to give Lehi Hopoate a saloon passage to the line. That makes it seven games in a row that Hopoate has scored a try. Reuben Garrick converts. Sea Eagles 18-0

13 min: Lehi Hopoate heads for the corner but Jock Madden comes up with a good cover tackle and the Manly winger is penalised for passing off the ground.

13 min: Terrell May goes on report for a dangerous tackle.

10 min: Jamal Fogarty goes to the right and picks up Reuben Garrick who gets a flick pass away to the flying Jason Saab who brushes past Heath Mason and races away for Manly's second try. Garrick converts. Sea Eagles 12-0

8 min: The Sea Eagles look dangerous again on the right edge but Haumole Olakaua'atu knocks the ball on as he attempts to tip it on to support.

4 min: A stunning 50-metre solo try from Tolu Koula who powers through Sunia Turuva, Heath Mason and Jock Madden and then hits the jets in the back field to race away for the game's opening try. Reuben Garrick converts. Sea Eagles 6-0

3 min: Good field position early for Manly as Luke Brooks hoists high into the corner and Sunia Turuva is wrapped up just five metres out.

Foz v Benji: The two Kiwi legends go head-to-head in the coaching box for the first time. Manly's interim coach Foran played 34 Tests for the Kiwis while Wests Tigers mentor Marshall represented New Zealand in 31 Tests. Two of the modern era's finest playmakers have their sides playing an entertaining brand of footy and a cracking contest is in the offing at Magic Round.

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: No further game day changes after Alex Twal dropped out on Friday due to a knee injury. Sione Fainu moves to lock and Alex Seyfarth joins the starting side in the back row. Bunty Afoa has been added to the bench. Terrell May takes his place in the team after a late withdrawal last weekend due to the birth of his child. 

Sea Eagles: Zach Dockar-Clay comes into the starting side on game day with Jake Simpkin going to the bench. Halfback Jamal Fogarty will make his return from a groin injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the past two weeks. Young gun Joey Walsh slides to the bench. 

Numbers Game

• Wests Tigers have won four from six at Magic Round.
• The Sea Eagles have won seven of their last nine games against Wests Tigers.
• Wests Tigers centre Taylan May has scored five tries in his last four games.
• Sea Eagles winger Lehi Hopoate is on a six-game try scoring streak.
• Wests Tigers forward Alex Seyfarth will make his 100th NRL appearance.