A crucial clash in the top-eight race kicks off Round 22, with the Cowboys looking to protect their finals spot at home while the in-form Roosters chase a sixth straight win and continue their push for a top-two finish.
Read Full Previews
- Cowboys vs Roosters → Read full preview: cowboys-vs-roosters-round-22-preview-2026
- Dragons vs Dolphins → Read full preview: dragons-vs-dolphins-round-22-preview-2026
- Storm vs Bulldogs → Read full preview: storm-vs-bulldogs-round-22-preview-2026
- Titans vs Warriors → Read full preview: titans-vs-warriors-round-22-preview-2026
- Panthers vs Raiders → Read full preview: panthers-vs-raiders-round-22-preview-2026
- Broncos vs Knights → Read full preview: broncos-vs-knights-round-22-preview-2026
- Sharks vs Rabbitohs → Read full preview: sharks-vs-rabbitohs-round-22-preview-2026
- Wests Tigers vs Eels → Read full preview: wests-tigers-vs-eels-round-22-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Thursday, 30 July 2026 – 7:50pm AEST – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
📺 Nine Network / Nine Now / Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Ashley Klein | Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
North Queensland Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater, 2. Braidon Burns, 3. Zac Laybutt, 4. Tom Chester, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Jaxon Purdue, 8. Thomas Mikaele, 9. Soni Luke, 10. Jason Taumalolo, 11. Heilum Luki, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Reuben Cotter (c), 14. Ethan King, 15. John Bateman, 16. Matthew Lodge, 17. Coen Hess, 18. Sam McIntyre, 19. Kaiden Lahrs, 20. Kai O’Donnell, 21. Liam Sutton, 22. Ronald Philitoga
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco (c), 2. Tommy Talau, 3. Hugo Savala, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Spencer Leniu, 11. Nat Butcher, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Salesi Foketi, 16. Egan Butcher, 17. Taylor Losalu, 18. Cody Ramsey, 19. Reece Foley, 20. Tom Rodwell, 21. Benaiah Ioelu, 22. De La Salle Va’a
Match Preview
There are just six rounds remaining and the race for finals spots goes up a gear when the North Queensland Cowboys and Sydney Roosters go head-to-head on Thursday night.
The Cowboys have won three of their past four and sit perched on the edge of the top 8, knowing a loss could see them drop out, while a five-game winning run has seen the Roosters jump up to second as they aim for a home game in week one of the finals.
Despite a five-day turnaround following their defeat of the Broncos, the Cowboys’ only two changes are forced, with Reed Mahoney (concussion) and Griffin Neame (suspension) going out of the side. Soni Luke and Tom Mikaele join the starting side with John Bateman returning from a hamstring injury on the bench, along with former Rooster Ethan King. Jaxon Purdue and Jake Clifford again start in the halves with Tom Dearden injured.
There are two changes in the backline for the Roosters following last weekend’s win over Newcastle with Daniel Tupou (shoulder) and Billy Smith (illness) both unavailable for the trip to Townsville. Hugo Savala, fresh off re-signing with the club until 2028, moves to left centre alongside Tommy Talau on the wing.
Despite both sitting in the top 8, these are two of the least disciplined teams in the competition. The Cowboys have conceded the third-most penalties per game (5.3) and the Roosters have conceded the fourth-most (5.1). The Roosters have made the most errors (12.8 per game), with the Cowboys slightly better in sixth (11.8). The difference is their ability to defend. The Cowboys miss the second-most tackles on average (36.3 per game) while the Roosters miss the fewest (27.2). Both sides boast potent attacks, but when opportunities present themselves, the Roosters have shown they are better are taking them and defending them.
The battle of the front rowers will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this game. Jason Taumalolo and Naufahu Whyte are two of the top props in the competition and will be determined to lay the platform, with Mikaele and Spencer Leniu alongside them for some extra firepower.
Despite an overall record of 32-15 against them, the Cowboys are one of the few clubs with a winning record against the Roosters in recent seasons, winning three of the past four, including 18-12 at Magic Round. The Roosters have won all three matches the two sides have played at QCB Stadium, but haven’t been up there since 2022. The Roosters have only won three of seven games outside of New South Wales in 2026, while the Cowboys have won six of nine at home.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Cowboys by 6.
Full Round 22 tips → /nrl-round-22-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Cowboys to snatch victory in the final minutes.
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Related
- Full Round 22 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-22/
- NRL Round 22 Team Lists → /nrl-round-22-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
