Round 9 of the 2020 NRL season opens up with a big Thursday night clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Sydney Roosters. As usual, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash, courtesy of NRL expert Scooby.
NRL Round 9: Cowboys vs Roosters Betting Tips
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Thursday July 9th, 7.50pm
The reality of the strength of the Cowboys was highlighted last week, going down 42-4 to the Eels on the road and reminding everyone that perhaps they are not as good as many think they are. With only 40% possession, they completed at just 76% and made 12 errors. It wasn’t any easier in defence; the weight of possession forced them to make 87 more tackles than their opponents and in doing so, missed a total of 39 tackles. The massive loss also means that the Cowboys have now conceded the 3rd most points of any team (211 or 26.4 per game).
The Roosters had their 5-game winning streak stopped by the Melbourne Storm in a thrilling finish. While not being successful, they will take plenty away from that match as they were certainly not at their best. They had a lesser share of possession (46%), had their worst completion rate of the year (64%) and committed a season-high 18 errors. Further injuries were suffered, meaning that their depth in coming weeks will be tested further. All this and they still only lost by 2-points in Golden Point. The challenge for the Roosters is now maintaining this standard; each week teams lift to play them, and it is undoubtedly mentally and physically draining on the entire squad. A trip north to the tropics may only increase the burden their squad is facing.
The Stats
Things could get ugly for the Cowboys if they allow the Roosters to gain momentum; the visitors score an average 28.3 ppg compared with the Cowboys 22.3. In equal measure, the Roosters concede 12 ppg compared with Cowboys 26.4 ppg. The momentum will come through the forwards, with the Roosters averaging 659.5 post contact metres per game (2nd) while the Cowboys sit in 8th with 565.9m per game. The other major difference is missed tackles; the Cowboys are ranked in 6th with 29.9 per game, while the Roosters are 3rd best 26.3 per game.
Verdict
There appears to be a remarkable difference between the top teams and the rest of the competition this year in the NRL. Unfortunately, the Cowboys are at wrong end of that list. This game then becomes a decision between how much the visitors can win by and, after last week’s loss, a win in their favour appears inevitable. The Cowboys have attempted to change up their attack with players moving positions, but more than that will be needed. In fact, the statistics (mentioned above) demonstrate that this isn’t their problem, rather it is defence. The Roosters are a team that continually asks questions of their opponents and this game should be no different. It is interesting to note that the Roosters have not played the Cowboys in Townsville since 2016, where they were on the receiving end of a 40-nil drubbing. On top of that, they have also lost 3 out of their past 5 matches there (note: this is a new ground and those statistics were at the previous home ground of the Cowboys). Given the vast difference in defence and the frequency of ‘blow out’ victories in 2020, the Roosters look set for a comfortable victory.
