​The Sydney Roosters' hopes of their fourth minor premiership in five seasons is well and truly alive after a come-from-behind 22-16 victory against the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night.
More Rugby League Videos
- Video duration
- 01:30
Roosters come from behind to down Cowboys
Roosters come from behind to down Cowboys
The Sydney Roosters claimed a six point win over a resilient North Queensland outfit.
Up Next
Slater: It'll be weird playing against Cronk
- Video duration
- 00:38
- Video duration
- 00:38
Slater: It'll be weird playing against ...
Slater: It'll be weird playing against Cronk
Has Billy Slater let slip that Cooper Cronk has decided against retiring?
Up Next
Cronk trying to avoid getting emotional
- Video duration
- 00:26
- Video duration
- 00:26
Cronk trying to avoid getting emotional
Cronk trying to avoid getting emotional
The NRL Grand Final will be Cooper Cronk's final appearance in a purple jersey.
Up Next
Slater: I used to be a Cowboys fan
- Video duration
- 00:40
- Video duration
- 00:40
Slater: I used to be a Cowboys fan
Slater: I used to be a Cowboys fan
Billy Slater will go head-to-head against the team he grew up supporting on the NRL's biggest stage.
Up Next
PNG Hunters win Queenland Cup in dramatic finish
- Video duration
- 00:24
- Video duration
- 00:24
PNG Hunters win Queenland Cup in dramatic ...
PNG Hunters win Queenland Cup in dramatic finish
The Papua New Guinea Hunters have made history by defeating the Sunshine Coast to win their first major trophy in rugby league.
Up Next
Crazy scenes as Cowboys land in Townsville
- Video duration
- 00:48
- Video duration
- 00:48
Crazy scenes as Cowboys land in Townsville
Crazy scenes as Cowboys land in Townsville
Townsville has well and truly caught Cowboys fever.
Up Next
Cameron: Nothing in it for Cotchin's hit on Shiel
- Video duration
- 00:18
- Video duration
- 00:18
Cameron: Nothing in it for Cotchin's hit ...
Cameron: Nothing in it for Cotchin's hit on Shiel
Giants coach Leon Cameron believes both players had eyes for the ball.
Up Next
Bennett: Bronco's weaknesses exposed
- Video duration
- 00:45
- Video duration
- 00:45
Bennett: Bronco's weaknesses exposed
Bennett: Bronco's weaknesses exposed
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett believes the Broncos will learn from this season's mistakes.
Roosters come from behind to down Cowboys
The Sydney Roosters claimed a six point win over a resilient North Queensland outfit.
The Cowboys looked as though they would leave Allianz Stadium with their fifth win on the trot after taking a 10-point lead into the half-time break, only for the tri-colours to kick into gear in the second half and storm home to gain an overnight equal share of the competition lead.
The Cowboys squandered a golden opportunity to move into the top four, unable to stop the Sio Taukeiaho-inspired Roosters forwards in the second half and failing to find a way through the Roosters defence for the final 48 minutes.
"It took a pretty impressive second half for us to beat them," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
"They were tough to beat. We were disappointing in that first half. Our discipline was poor in the first half, outstanding in the second half. It took us to stay disciplined and we went after the moments in the second half. Had a couple of guys feel the momentum and decided to do something about it which is pleasing this time of year."
The match wasn't without controversy, with the Cowboys' contentious four-pointer that turned the game on its head in the first half leaving Robinson dumbfounded by the decision as he watched on from the box.
The bunker was called into action when the referees sent a decision upstairs with an on-field call of try to Coen Hess, however the video officials couldn't find evidence to back that call. More importantly, they couldn't find sufficient evidence to contradict the decision, leaving them with no choice but to award Hess his third try in as many weeks.
"From what I saw, it's hard because we don't get enough angles," Robinson said.
"He didn't get it down for mine. (The video referee) couldn't prove it was down."
The Roosters managed to put the setback behind them in the second half, out-muscling the Cowboys to join the Storm (who play Manly on Sunday) at the top of the NRL ladder.
Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary was sublime and continued his push for the tag as the recruit of the season, scoring a try and playing a hand in another to take centre stage on a quiet night for his halves partner, Mitchell Pearce.
Latrell Mitchell showed his strength and speed when he busted open the Cowboys defence in the opening minutes, running 50 metres to score a memorable four-pointer to give the Roosters a 6-0 buffer in front of a crowd of 9476 at Allianz Stadium.
But the visitors weren't deterred by a slow start, hitting back through former Roosters centre Kane Linnett, who finished off a well executed back-line play to reduce the deficit to just two points midway through the first half.
The try to Linnett triggered a huge shift in momentum, with the Cowboys crossing for another two converted tries soon after through Kyle Feldt and Hess.
It was the try to Hess that caused great conjecture, with the Roosters livid with a decision by the on-field referee to award a try without sufficient evidence for the bunker to overturn the original call. Coach Trent Robinson raised his arms in disbelief. The second half began in identical fashion to the first — with a Roosters four-pointer. This time Mitchell turned provider to send Daniel Tupou over in the corner as the pair worked in a tight blindside corridor.
A barnstorming Sio Taukeiaho then burrowed his way over from close range to square the ledger, setting up a grandstand finish ahead of the final quarter of the contest.
But it wasn't square for too long, with the speed of Keary proving too much for Ethan Lowe as the Roosters five-eighth sliced through some feeble defence to give the home side a 20-16 lead.
The Cowboys had a number of chances attacking the Roosters' line in the dying minutes but couldn't find a way through.
"Physically they came at us," Cowboys coach Paul Green said. "We probably had to hang on for one more set. They had plenty of ball in the second half. There was period where they physically got on top. We couldn't quite hang in there long enough."
0 comments
New User? Sign up