The Cowboys will be hoping a return to their home ground at Queensland Country Bank Stadium will also turn their fortunes around after two heavy 'away' losses to the Knights and the Rabbitohs.
That's now four straight losses since they headed into the round 13 bye with their tails up after a 29-28 win over the Warriors.
The Roosters just snapped a two-match losing streak with a steady - but by no means spectacular - 22-16 win over the lowly-placed Bulldogs last Saturday.
Trent Robinson's side will be without James Tedesco who won't back up from Wednesday's game.
Last weekend Joey Manu made 243 metres off 23 runs filling at fullback, along with six tackle busts and a line break.
The Cowboys will be looking to close a few wounds, such as defence. They are in the top-four in the NRL for ineffective tackles.
Match: Cowboys v Roosters
Round 18 -
home Team
Cowboys
13th Position
away Team
Roosters
5th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
The rundown
Team news
Cowboys: Fullback Valentine Holmes won't play against the Roosters on Saturday after injuring his shoulder in Origin III. Fellow Origin reps Francis Molo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have been named to play.
Javid Bowen has been brought into the starting side for Holmes with Tabuai-Fidow moving to fullback. Daejarn Asi is 18th man and Lachlan Burr is the match-day omission.
With Heilum Luki out suspended Peter Hola is the new face on the interchange. Kane Bradley was omitted from the reserves on Friday.
Reuben Cotter (foot) and Ben Hampton (pectoral) are expected back in round 19.
Kyle Feldt requires one try to reach his century of NRL tries.
Roosters: Angus Crichton will start on the interchange in a late swap with Nat Butcher. Tukupa-Te Hau Tapua is the final cut and Adam Keighran is 18th man.
James Tedesco is out after playing for NSW in Origin III on Wednesday night, with Joey Manu switching to fullback and Billy Smith earning a reprieve in the centres.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has taken over the captaincy.
Victor Radley will be all the better for his first hit-out last weekend after a five-week absence.
Crichton's return pushes Isaac Liu up to the front row and Siosiua Taukeiaho is out due to hamstring tightness.
Joseph Suaalii won't play again in 2021 with foot surgery planned.
Fletcher Baker is out of isolation and back on the bench after missing last week's game so Ben Thomas drops out.
The Roosters have won five of their past seven clashes against the Cowboys.
Match: Cowboys v Roosters
Round 18 -
home Team
Cowboys
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Cowboys is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Kyle FeldtWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Connelly LemueluCentre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
-
Centre for Cowboys is number 19 Javid BowenCentre for Roosters is number 19 Billy Smith
-
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray TaulagiWinger for Roosters is number 5 Matt Ikuvalu
-
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Scott DrinkwaterFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
-
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom DeardenHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Francis MoloProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jordan McLeanProp for Roosters is number 10 Isaac Liu
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shane Wright2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
-
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Mitchell Dunn2nd Row for Roosters is number 15 Nat Butcher
-
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Jason TaumaloloLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake GranvilleInterchange for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tom GilbertInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Lachlan Lam
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Coen HessInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Peter HolaInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker
Reserves
-
Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Daejarn AsiReserve for Roosters is number 20 Adam Keighran
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Victor Radley, fresh after only one game back from a five-week suspension, will be looking for opposite No.13 Jason Taumalolo to find out who's king of the middle. Did you see Taumalolo's 35-metre bust upfield and then a flick pass to Reece Robson for Shane Wright to score against the Rabbitohs?
It's the kind of ball-playing skills Radley is becoming famous for and had him in nearly everyone's NSW team this year before high-tackle charges changed matters.
Radley also made 45 tackles last weekend to prove his defence hasn't suffered during his break.
Stat attack
Interesting that a top-five side like the Roosters is the worst in the NRL at conceding penalties - 85. But the Cowboys also find themselves near the top of that unwanted list with 72, just four spots below the Roosters.
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