Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Round 11 Tips & Prediction - Chooks to run rampant over depleted Cows

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 14 May 2026 12:23

Andrew Hendrie 14 May 2026

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Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys predictions for Saturday's NRL R11 game
Roosters firing on all cylinders with six straight wins
Cowboys 0-3 vs top eight in 2026 & missing Dearden & Taumalolo
Prediction: Roosters -15.5 with Over 34.5 team points; Walker to score
The match is scheduled for kick off at 5.30pm AEST on Saturday May 16

Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Round 11 Tips

Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Round 11 Tips & Prediction

The Roosters are backed to make it seven wins on the bounce against a Cowboys side who are missing their two most influential players during Magic Round on Saturday at Suncorp.

Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys NRL Round 11 Tips & Prediction
Roosters vs Cowboys Stats & Trends
Roosters vs Cowboys Head To Head
Sydney Roosters Form Analysis
North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis
Roosters vs Cowboys Team News

Never. Trust. The Cowboys.

How they lost to the Eels last week, I'll never know. They were leading basically all game, in Jason Taumalolo's milestone match, but somehow crumbled late and lost in golden point. To make matters worse, Tom Dearden has undergone ankle surgery and will miss the next couple of months, while Taumalolo has been rested for this clash.

But, the signs were there. They're always there with the Cows. A quick glance at the ladder tells you North Queensland's position is inflated - they haven't beaten a team ranked higher than 10th all season, going 0-3 against current top eight sides. Now, they come up against arguably the form team in the competition.

The Chooks are doing it easy too. I don't think they've hit their peak yet, but they are piling on the points and blitzing opponents. If not for Sam Walker's shoddy kicking last week, they would have scored 30+ points in all six wins on their current streak. The Roosters' attack will be relishing the chance to absolutely rip apart this vulnerable Cowboys defence.

I think the Roosters could drop 50 here, so confidently backing them to cover the -15.5 line and 34.5 team total. Walker looks as if he's about to be picked for his Queensland State of Origin debut, but he will want another statement performance to confirm it - especially against Jake Clifford. Back the Roosters halfback, who is low-key the best support player in the comp, in for another try - great value at $3.45 with Neds compared to around $2.60-70 at most other books.

Roosters vs Cowboys Stats & Trends

Roosters have won six of their last eight games vs Cowboys, all by 13+ margins
Roosters are on a six-game winning streak this season, all by 12+ points
Roosters have scored 33+ points in five of those six wins
Cowboys are 0-3 vs top eight teams in 2026, with two of those defeats coming by 28 & 32 points
Cowboys have leaked 33+ points in three of their last four games
Sam Walker has scored five tries in his last five games

Roosters vs Cowboys Head To Head

Roosters have won six of the last eight, including a dominant 42-8 victory last year. These teams are also 1-1 in Magic Round meetings, with the Roosters winning 30-16 in 2021 and the Cowboys returning serve with a 20-6 victory in 2023.

Year	Winner	Score	Venue
2025	Sydney Roosters	42–8	Allianz
2024	North Queensland Cowboys	18–16	Allianz
2023	North Queensland Cowboys	20–6	Suncorp
2022	Sydney Roosters	32–18	SCG
2022	Sydney Roosters	28–4	QLD C. Bank

Sydney Roosters Form Analysis

I think it's pretty clear the Roosters are the second-best team in the competition, behind the Panthers and slightly ahead of the Warriors heading into Magic Round.

After their traditional slow start, losing two of their opening three games, the Roosters have won six straight, all by big margins and scoring plenty of points in the process.

Sam Walker is starting to rise to the occasion and on the cusp of State of Origin selection, is thriving alongside the experienced DCE.

After toppling reigning premiers Brisbane, the Roosters simply got the job done without ever looking in danger in last week's 28-12 win over the Titans in Gosford.

North Queensland Cowboys Form Analysis

Forever on a rollercoaster of form, I think the Cowboy are currently heading for a big dip.

Six wins from their last eight games is very misleading - North Queensland haven't beaten a team ranked higher than 10th and are 0-3 vs current top eight teams in the Knights, Tigers and Sea Eagles, conceding 28+ points in the latter two.

Last week was classic Cowboys - they were in complete control at home against a lowly Eels side, but somehow coughed up a comfortable lead as the Eels scored two tries in the last five minutes before Mitch Moses slotted the match-winning field goal in golden point.

With Tom Dearden now out for an extended period, the Cowboys face a tough period - they've gone 0-2 without their halfback so far this season.

Roosters vs Cowboys Team News

Victor Radley is suspended for the Roosters, with Lindsay Collins returning to push Spencer Leniu to the bench, while Connor Watson starts at lock.

Liam Sutton makes his NRL debut at five-eighth as Jake Clifford moves to halfback in place for Dearden.

Xavier Kerrisk also makes his NRL debut on the bench, with Soni Luke also injured. Matt Lodge starts for Taumalolo, who is being rested.

Sydney Roosters	Position	North Queensland Cowboys
James Tedesco	1	Scott Drinkwater
Daniel Tupou	2	Braidon Burns
Hugo Savala	3	Jaxon Purdue
Robert Toia	4	Tom Chester
Cody Ramsey	5	Zac Laybutt
Daly Cherry-Evans	6	Liam Sutton
Sam Walker	7	Jake Clifford
Naufahu Whyte	8	Thomas Mikaele
Reece Robson	9	Reed Mahoney
Lindsay Collins	10	Matthew Lodge
Angus Crichton	11	Heilum Luki
Siua Wong	12	Sam McIntyre
Connor Watson	13	Reuben Cotter
Egan Butcher	14	Xavier Kerrisk
Spencer Leniu	15	Griffin Neame
Nat Butcher	16	Robert Derby
Salesi Foketi	17	Coen Hess
Fetalaiga Pauga	18	Wiremu Greig
Reece Foley	19	Ethan King
Benaiah Ioelu	20	Viliami Vailea
Taylor Losalu	21	Mason Kira
Junior Tupou	22	Mason Barber