The Sydney Roosters will look to continue their hot streak when they face the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday during Magic Round. 

The Roosters enter the contest riding a league-best six-game winning streak after a comfortable 28-12 victory over the Titans. 

Meanwhile, the Cowboys suffered the biggest upset of Round 10, falling 33-30 to the Eels in golden point. Making matters worse was the injury to skipper Tom Dearden, who will now also miss the Origin opener. 

Jake Clifford shifts to halfback, allowing Liam Sutton to make his NRL debut at five-eighth. Xavier Kerrisk is also set to debut off the bench for the injured Soni Luke, while Matthew Lodge starts in place of the rested Jason Taumalolo. 

There are two changes for the Tri-colours, with Connor Watson to start at lock for the suspended Victor Radley, while Lindsay Collins returns from concussion, meaning Spencer Leniu shifts to the bench. The Roosters dominated this clash 42-8 in Round 16 last year. Can they run it back here?

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this Magic Round clash, check out our Rooster vs Cowboys tips and predictions below.

Roosters vs Cowboys Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

Just two-points off top, the red-hot Roosters will look to continue their pursuit of the Penrith Panthers when they do battle with the Cowboys at Magic Round.

They appear to have found the one thing every team craves and that is consistency. The Chooks have won their last six on the spin, with their skipper James Tedesco doing everything to let Laurie Daley know he is ready and able to once again don the NSW No.1 jersey.

Speaking of consistency, the Cowboys showed just how hard it is to find in the modern game, blowing their chance of recording a three-game winning streak, going down at home to the struggling Eels. 

If the Cowboys were unable to beat a bottom four side in their own backyard in Jason Taumalolo’s milestone match (he became the most capped Cowboy of all time last start), we don’t see how they are going to upset the high-flying Roosters here. 

Betting tip: Sydney Roosters. 

First Try Scorer Prediction 

You can do a lot worse than backing one of the game’s greatest try scorers in this market, so that’s what we're going to be doing here. 

Daniel Tupou has scored at least one try in each of his last eight appearances against opponents that were ranked lower on the ladder and is out tip for first try scorer when the Roosters take on the Cowboys in Magic Round. 

Betting tip: Daniel Tupou.

Over/Under Prediction 

Each of Sydney's last five interstate matches have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (56.5) total match points. 

Line Prediction

The underdog has covered the line in each of North Queensland's last five matches.

Betting tip: Cowboys (+15.5) line. 

Roosters vs Cowboys Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Heilum Luki

Heilum Luki has scored a try in four of North Queensland's last five matches in Queensland.

Sam Walker

Sam Walker has scored at least one try in four of Sydney's last five matches.

Braidon Burns

Braidon Burns has scored at least one try in each of his last eight appearances with North Queensland as an underdog.

Daly Cherry-Evans

In five of North Queensland's last six matches at Suncorp Stadium, the opposition's starting five-eighth has scored at least one try.

Jaxon Purdue

Jaxon Purdue has scored a try in each of North Queensland's last three matches at Suncorp Stadium against opponents that were ranked in the top eight.

Scott Drinkwater

In each of Sydney's last three matches, the opposition's starting fullback has scored a try.

Jake Clifford

Jake Clifford has scored a try in each of North Queensland's last two matches.

Roosters vs Cowboys Teams 

Sydney Roosters Team List 

1. James Tedesco (c)

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Hugo Savala 

4. Robert Toia

5. Cody Ramsey

6. Daly Cherry-Evans

7. Sam Walker

8. Naufahu Whyte 

9. Reece Robson

10. Lindsay Collins

11. Angus Crichton

12. Siua Wong

13. Connor Watson 

14. Egan Butcher

15. Spencer Leniu

16. Nat Butcher

17. Salesi Foketi

18. Fetalaiga Pauga

North Queensland Cowboys Team List 

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Braidon Burns

3. Jaxon Purdue

4. Tom Chester

5. Zac Laybutt

6. Liam Sutton

7. Jake Clifford

8. Thomas Mikaele

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Matthew Lodge

11. Heilum Luki 

12. Sam McIntyre

13. Reuben Cotter (c)

14. Xavier Kerrisk

15. Griffin Neame

16. Robert Derby

17. Coen Hess

18. Wiremu Greig

Roosters vs Cowboys Match Details 

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026. 

Kick-off: 5:30pm AEST. 

Location: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.