Allianz Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 13 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and North Queensland Cowboys. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs. North Queensland Cowboys game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday June 2, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Where: Allianz Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys Odds
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
North Queensland grabbed a scratchy win over a cellar dweller last week to ease some pressure, but now they run the Origin gauntlet beginning with an away assignment against a heavyweight captained by a NSW discard with plenty to prove.
Val Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson, Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter will all be required for game one, which sees Tom Chester, Braidon Burns, Jake Clifford, Jake Granville, Thomas Mikaele and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki come into the Cowboys starting line-up.
The Cowboys have held off the two bottom-placed teams in the past fortnight Souths (28-22) and Wests Tigers (42-28) after losing their previous five.
Chad Townsend was a standout among their non-Origin contingent against the Tigers, but defensively the Cowboys remain well short of the mark: the least points they have conceded in 2024 was 18 back in Round 1.
The Roosters shoulder an Origin load, too, with Joseph Suaalii replaced by Junior Pauga, Terrell May and Nat Butcher starting in the pack for Lindsay Collins and Angus Crichton, Egan Butcher joining the bench for Spencer Leniu.
Luke Keary looks set to be released from camp, while all eyes will be on dumped Blues legend James Tedesco, who was in scintillating touch in Saturdays 44-16 romp in Canberra.
Joey Manu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves were also in a mood as the Roosters climbed to fifth with their fourth win in five games, responding well to losing a Magic Round thriller to the Sharks.
The Cowboys produced a 20-6 upset of the Roosters in Magic Round last year to snap a five-match losing run in the rivalry, while the Roosters have only lost to the Cowboys once in Sydney since 2010.
The Roosters have scored 98 points in their last two matches at Allianz Stadium, while the Cowboys are 3-8 outside Queensland since the start of 2023.
The comparative calibre of the teams Origin fill-ins should ensure a comfortable Tricolours victory at home.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys Tip
We're tipping Sydney Roosters to win at $1.16 odds.
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys Teams
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte 14. Sandon Smith 15. Siua Wong 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Michael Jennings 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Blake Steep 20. Ethan King 21. Jake Elliott 22. Delasalle Vaa
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tomas Chester 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Jake Granville 10. Griffin Neame 11. Heilum Luki 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Thomas Mikaele 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Jamal Shibasaki 17. Jason Taumalolo 18. Kaiden Lahrs 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Marly Bitungane 21. Jai Hansen 22. Jaxon Purdue