Match Report | Round 22 v Cowboys

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Cowboys

Roosters

Points, points, points: Mark Nawaqanitawase and Sam Walker both scored hat-tricks, James Tedesco scored a double playing only in the first half and Hugo Savala also had a double. Walker also kicked 12 conversions. The Roosters made a statement against a top eight contender and are challenging for the minor premiership. 

Full-time: An utterly devastating performance by the Roosters who have destroyed the Cowboys at home and could have stuck a knife in their top eight standing with their huge 82-12 victory. It was the most points conceded in a game for 91 years - the first time a team has scored 80 points since 1935. The Roosters were dominant in all facets - they had 64 percent of the possession with a 90 percent completion rate with 43/39. The Cowboys missed 42 tackles compared to 19 from the Roosters and in the metres run, the Sydney-siders produced almost double, pumping out 2275 compared to 1154 for North Queensland. 

78th min: The Roosters have hit 80 points. It's been one way traffic - bar two tries to the Cowboys, one in each half - and this time it is Cody Ramsey who scores the try. Walker kicks another conversion - his 12th of the night. Roosters are up 82-12. 

78th min: After giving up a 'downtown' penalty to carry the Roosters all the way back into their attacking half, the Cowboys can't hold out the visitors, with Hugo Savala going through a gap at the line created from a Walker dummy to get his second. Walker converts again for a huge 76-12 lead. 

72nd min: It's just one of those nights they'd like to forget for the Cowboys - but one to savour for the Roosters. The play ends up in a hat-trick for Sam Walker, but it was shaping to be a try for the home side on the other end of the field. Instead, a pass to Drinkwater with the try-line begging proved too hard to handle, with Ramsey picking up the ball and sprinting away. The Cowboys chase, so the ball goes back inside to Walker who gets in under the posts. Walker is back on the conversion and it's 70-12. 

71st min: A captain's challenge from the Roosters is successful - but they instead give up a penalty. 

68th min: A hat-trick for Mark Nawaqanitawase who shows his strength to get the ball down despite the attention of four Cowboys defenders who can't drag him down. Cody Ramsey has taken over the kicking duties and slots it from the right sideline for a 64-12 lead. 

62nd min: More points for the Roosters off a scrum play 10m out from their attacking line, gained from a double knock on call. They set the scrum to the right with a 3-3 split and Rob Toia runs his way around to score through a gaping hole. Sam Walker slots another one from in front and it's 58-12. 

58th min: Some continued pressure by Cowboys is undone with the Bunker calling for Scott Drinkwater to be penalised for holding back when he and Foketi were going for the ball in the in-goal. 

55th min: The Cowboys are on the board in the second half, with a nice looking try. They had scrambled to defend just well enough to deny the Roosters at the other end and get some reward. A break from Jaxson Purdue who showed some pace through the middle before passing to Thomas Chester who completed the job. Scott Drinkwater converts to narrow the scores slightly to 52-12. 

45th min: Given their performance so far this game, some joy for Cowboys fans with a much improved defensive effort on this set, finishing with them taking Savala over the sideline. 

42nd min: The Roosters pick up as they left the first half, with another try to Mark Nawaqanitawase. Murray Taulagi misjudges his jump to field a kick, knocks it on and Marky Marky says thank you as he gets it down on the right edge. Sam Walker's conversion attempt goes across the face and it's 52-6. 

41st min: Tedesco gets an early finish and has been replaced by Codey Ramsey for the second half.

Half-time stats pack: The Roosters have 65 percent of the possession in the first half with a 20/21 completion rate. The Cowboys with drastic 35 percent of the possession completed 13/15.

Unwanted record: While the Roosters are crowing after that first half, the Cowboys are on the end of some unwanted history - and have now been on the wrong end of a record first-half points conceded tally twice. Last time was in 2003 when they trailed the Knights 48-0. 

Halftime: The ruthless Roosters have equalled the record for most points ever in a first half with 48. They have been relentless in attack - but have arguably not been trouble by a Cowboys side who have lacked intent from the kick off. James Tedesco has a double and Sam Walker has the ball on a string. Cowboys head to the sheds trailing 48-6 with work to do to get back into the game.

39th min: A bit of 'relief' for the Cowboys, with the Roosters denied a ninth try for the half, instead giving up an off-side penalty.

38th min: Aaaaaand another for the Roosters. It's far too easy this half, with the defensive attempts of the Cowboys not cutting the mustard. From their own half, Rob Toia runs through the line and then slips a pass to his left to a trailing James Tedesco who is over for his second. Walker converts and it's 48-6. 

36th min: The Roosters are in for their - seventh - try of the first half. This time, it's Tommy Talau on the left edge, diving over without a Cowboys defence in frame. The home side have been flat all night and the Roosters have been on song from the get-go. Walker's attempt from the left touchline is successful and it's 42-6. 

34th min: More points for the Roosters - with Mark Nawaqanitawase taking an intercept while the Cowboys were on the attack, running downfield and fending away Scott Drinkwater to heap more pain on the home side. A little bit more difficult for Walker, but no problem for him and it's now 36-6. 

29th min: The ruthless Roosters rub salt into the wounds and score with their next opportunity, with youngster Salesi Foketi just running through some poor defence, throwing a dummy along the way before going over to score. Another in front for Walker who slots it and the lead has grown to 30-6. 

28th min: A no-try ruling against the Cowboys is upheld by the Bunker, with a contest for a kick from Zac Laybutt and Mark Nawaqanitawase seeing the home side knock on before it came down for Murray Taulagi who thought he scored. 

26th min: Roosters are a cut above in this half and another try for Sam Walker, stepping away from defenders who were preparing for him to kick. Instead, he puts his head down and runs the ball in to score. He slots the conversion from in front and it's a big lead of 24-6. 

19th min: The visitors extend their lead with a kick through from Tedesco placed perfectly for Hugo Savala to chase through and score untouched. Conversion successful from Sam Walker and it's suddenly 18-6 to the Roosters who have three tries already. 

17th min: The Roosters are well on top, with a 40/20 kick from Daly Cherry-Evans. 

15th min: A quick hit-back from the Roosters who have utilised their speed to get back the lead. Sam Walker trails on a break and gets ball thrown back to him by Tedesco before sprinting his way over the line. Walker converts and it's 12-6 to the Roosters.  

11th min: Cowboys have hit back, going out wide to their left wing with Braidon Burns able to dot the ball down. Scott Drinkwater swings the kick around and over the uprights and scores are level 6-6. 

3rd min: First try of the night already to the Roosters, with some concerning defence from the Cowboys in the middle of the ruck. Skipper James Tedesco runs onto a Victor Radley offload, escaping defenders and going over under the posts. Sam Walker converts and it's a 6-0 lead to the Roosters.

Kick off: Roosters have first use of the ball and have no trouble making metres in their first set. 

With the Cowboys not hosting a home game across the two weeks of Indigenous Round, the club have opted to wear their special jersey for their home game tonight.

See more about the jersey and the design below:

Some pre-game entertainment before North Queensland face the Roosters, with the Cowboys and Broncos NRLQ Under 21 sides going head-to-head. The Broncos posted a big 54-4 win, with winger Disharne Tonihi getting a hat-trick. 

Match preview

Late Mail

Cowboys: No late game-day changes. Englishman John Bateman has withdrawn after experiencing tightness in his hamstring during Wednesday's captain's run so Kai O'Donnell comes into the 19. After coming off the bench last week, Tom Mikaele is back in the starting side in place of Griffin Neame (suspended). Soni Luke also moves into the starting side at hooker with Reed Mahoney suffering a Category 1 head knock last week. 

Roosters: A game-day swap with Spencer Leniu shifting to the bench, with Salesi Foketi to start. Although listed at prop, coach Trent Robinson told Channel 9 pre-game that he would be in the backrow, with Nat Butcher to start in the front row. Centre Billy Smith has been unable to train due to illness so the versatile Hugo Savala steps up. A shoulder injury to champion winger Daniel Tupou sees Tommy Talau come in for just his third game of the season. The Roosters have won four from four at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.