The Cowboys have won their third straight, pulling off a miraculous 18-16 upset win over the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in a game missing 11 stars through Origin duties.
North Queensland were rank outsiders to win, and when trailing 16-4 in the 51st minute with Heilum Luki in the sin bin for a dangerous tackle, their task looked to be near impossible.
However, Cowboys star Scott Drinkwater crossed for a try just a few minutes later to trim the margin to six.
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Death, taxes, and JWH on report! | 00:41
It was 16-12 when Drinkwater knocked over a penalty goal in the 58th minute to set up a grandstand finish.
The Roosters had a number of chances to put the game away, but lacked execution. The Cowboys received a penalty when Joey Manu crossed the line but was ruled to have committed a double movement to do so.
Conversely, the Cowboys took advantage of their chances close to the line in the second half. Kulikefu Finefeuaki ran hard all day, and was rewarded in the 69th minute when running a good line and powered over a couple of Roosters defenders to level the scores in the 69th minute.
Drinkwater would miss the conversion but made up for it a couple of minutes later, knocking over a penalty goal in the 74th minute to give the Cowboys the lead.
The Roosters had half a chance in the final five minutes, none better when Dom Young streaked down the right wing, but the Cowboys’ fullback stepped up again with a huge play, making a try-saving tackle on the Roosters winger to force a knock on.
The Cowboys held their nerve the rest of the way to clinch a famous victory missing Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Val Holmes, Reece Robson and Murray Taulagi.
The Roosters were missing five of their stars as well, including James Tedesco, who was a late out after being called up to the NSW team.
Halfback Sam Walker had a terrific first half, laying on two try assists to help the Roosters to a 14-4 halftime lead.
Terrell May was excellent starting at front row (132m, 41 tackles, nine tackle busts) while Manu had a mixed game at fullback.
“Joey didn’t have his best night tonight. He was way off what he usually is,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said in his post-match press conference – despite the Kiwi fullback running for 169 metres and making a try-saving tackle.
‘Way off’: Robbo opens up on Joey Manu | 04:29
WHAT WE LEARNED
DRINKY’S MATCH WINNING PERFORMANCE
Fox League’s Steve Roach said that Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater needed to be man-of-the-match for North Queensland to have any chance.
While there were many important contributors for the Cowboys, Drinkwater was easily the pick of the lot.
Not only did he nail the game-winning conversion, he had a hand in everything in attack.
He finished the game with a try, a try assist, ten tackle busts and 110 running metres.
In addition, he came up with a huge play late, making a terrific cover tackle on Roosters winger Dom Young in the dying minutes, potentially saving a try.
“That was one of his best games of the year. He really took the game on” Cowboys stand-in skipper Chad Townsend said on Drinkwater.
VETERAN’S STATEMENT GAME
Jason Taumalolo was in the news this week when he wasn’t named in the Cowboys’ starting side despite the club missing two forwards to Origin duties.
Considering his hefty contract, many wondered why, and whether it was because of a rumoured rift between Taumalolo and coach Todd Payten.
Payten revealed before the game that he believes Taumalolo has found a good rhythm to his game in recent weeks when coming off the bench, and he didn’t want to alter it.
Instead, Tom Mikaele started at lock, with Taumalolo coming on for Mikaele in the 16th minute.
That decision proved to be the right one.
Taumalolo turned back the clock with an extremely impactful performance off the bench, running for 161 metres, recording seven tackle busts and two offloads in 55 minutes of game time.
He ran for the most metres of any forward all afternoon, and was second to winger Braidon Burns for metres gained for the Cowboys.
“He was in the headlines all week, so maybe keep putting him in the headlines and he’ll fire up every week,” Cowboys fullback Drinkwater quipped on Fox League post-game.
Todd Payten all praise for young guns | 07:17
WALKER’S ‘GENIUS’ COMES TO FORE IN HUGE FIRST HALF
Roosters halfback Sam Walker was on track for a dominant performance on Sunday after a brilliant first half.
Walker had two try assists, with one of those coming from a clever piece of play on the stroke of halftime.
After Dom Young was tackled after making a long break, Walker saw a couple of Cowboys out of position and went down the blindside to find Young for an easy try.
“Walker just too clever, setting up the Roosters’ second,” Michael Ennis said.
“Walker had a brilliant first half. The Roosters have put teams away this season primarily on the back of Sam Walker,” Greg Alexander said.
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