NRL Round 21 Preview and Prediction - Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys @ Allianz Stadium

Sydney Roosters (2nd) v North Queensland Cowboys (5th) @ Allianz Stadium
 
Preview - Two of the heavyweights of the competition in 2017 collide here as the Roosters host the Cowboys at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. The Roosters managed a low key 28-4 victory over the Knights in a game where they weren't at their best, but managed to defend their try line strongly. Trent Robinson's men remain just one game behind the Melbourne Storm and look certain to finish in the Top 4, just a season on from their disastrous 15th placed finish last season. The Cowboys are quietly building a really impressive season as they made it 4 wins on the trot last weekend with an 24-12 victory over the Warriors in Townsville. Once again the Cowboys weren't explosive with the football, but managed to defend really stoutly, showing all the signs that this is a tough and resilient football team capable of producing high quality performances without their 2 captains in Thurston and Scott. 

History - The Roosters have been dominant over the Cowboys at Allianz Stadium winning 13 from the19 matches played between the 2 clubs at the venue. The last time these 2 sides met was way back in Round 3 of 2016 where the Cowboys gave the Roosters a hiding winning 40-0 at 1300 Smiles Stadium. Overall the Roosters hold a significant advantage with 24 wins to the Cowboys 10. 
 
Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - The Roosters have named Connor Watson at fullback again and rookie Victor Radley at hooker, with both Michael Gordon and Jake Friend not yet fit to return from injury. Both Watson and Radley were impressive last week as the Roosters look to have as much quality and depth as any side in the competition in 2017. Big young centre Joseph Manu returns to the side in the centres, with the versatile Mitchell Aubusson moving back to the back row.
 
North Queensland Cowboys’ Scouting Report – Cowboys’ Coach Paul Green has named Antonio Winterstein to return to the side this week on the wing. Te Maire Martin has been very impressive at five eight since his mid-season transfer from the Panthers, and looks like he could really be a long term player for the Cowboys. 
 
Verdict - Roosters by 4-12 in a low scoring game

The Cowboys have done a great job in the past 4 weeks, however this is a step up in class here against a high quality Roosters’ side on the road. All of those victories have come against teams on the fringe of the Top 8, or outside the Top 8. The Roosters have got the job done lately, however have been missing some of their attacking mojo, and I expect them to start to crank things up as the finals get closer. I expect this to be a high quality game and lower scoring than most people expect, with both sides’ defence being very strong of late. Twenty points should be enough to win this game and I expect the Roosters to get those 3-4 tries and grind out another close and important victory.