NRL round 22: Cowboys v Roosters betting tips
North Queensland Cowboys host the dangerous Sydney Roosters on Thursday night in a blockbuster clash with huge repercussions for the make-up of the finals series.
The Cowboys are clinging to eighth spot, with an outside chance of challenging for the top four, and were dogged in their victory over the Broncos last weekend, a result which has probably killed off the Broncos’ finals hopes. Meanwhile, the Roosters are sitting pretty in second spot with a minor premiership in their sights, though a loss here could throw open the possibility of them missing the top four, such are the small margins separating the top half-dozen or so.
That all but guarantees both teams will be playing for keeps here, and this is a clash not to be missed for even neutral fans.
North Queensland have won three of the past four meetings between these teams, including in the most recent clash in round 11 this season when they won 18-12 despite having a couple of players sin-binned. This is the Roosters’ first trip to Townsville since 2022, though it’s a ground where they have found plenty of success in the past.
The Roosters are firm favourites with Australian betting sites at around $1.52 and it’s easy to see why, given their star-studded back line and powerful pack.
Cowboys v Roosters team news
Cowboys: The Cowboys paid a high price for their win over the Broncos, with prop Griffin Neame suspended for a careless high tackle, while they will also be without tough hooker Reed Mahoney (head knock). They are also sweating on the return of Maroons playmaker Tom Dearden (ankle), though he was not named for this clash. Coach Todd Payten has called in experienced second-rower John Bateman and young prop Kaiden Lahrs to fill the gaps in the 17-man squad.
Roosters: Veteran winger Daniel Tupou is out for 3-4 matches with a shoulder injury, while the Roosters also left out Billy Smith (illness). Coming into the 17 are winger Tommy Talau and rookie playmaker Reece Foley, who has been named on the bench for his second appearance in first grade.
Panthers still favourites for NRL title
Betting on which team will be crowned NRL champions this season has five teams well ahead of the rest as we draw towards the end of the regular season.
Penrith still top the market at around $2.70, with bookies prepared to put their less-than-stellar recent form down to motivational issues as they have been well ahead of the chasing pack since about round 10. The Panthers will have to get serious now though, as they are only one win ahead of the Roosters, who have quietly moved to $6 second favourites for the title.
Cronulla are riding a good streak and this week firmed from around $11 into $8 to lift the title after their crushing 48-12 win against the undermanned Manly last Sunday.
The Warriors are headed in the opposite direction (out from $8 to $9.50 for the title) after they were outgunned by the resurgent Bulldogs 18-6. The Wahs desperately need a win against the Titans this round to steady their top-four hopes.
The Dogs are back in the mix to make the finals after a good stretch of form and firmed again in title betting from $67 into $41, a spot they share with the Sea Eagles, who blew out from $21 a week earlier. These odds can fluctuate quickly at this time of year.
The bookies all but put a line through the defending champion Broncos ($101 to $201) and perennial powers Melbourne Storm ($41 to $101) after they lost to the Cowboys and Rabbitohs respectively in round 21.
Read on for our Cowboys v Roosters tips and winner prediction for their round-22 NRL clash.
Cowboys v Roosters match information
- Kick-off: 7.50pm AEDT, Thursday, July 30
- Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Head to head odds: Knights $2.45, Roosters $1.55
- Line betting: Knights (+5.5 points) $1.90, Roosters (-5.5 points) $1.90
- Match total: 45.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90
2026 NRL premiership betting
$2.70 Penrith Panthers
$6 Sydney Roosters
$8 Cronulla Sharks
$9.5 New Zealand Warriors
$11 Redcliffe Dolphins
$19 South Sydney Rabbitohs
$23 North Queensland Cowboys
$26 Newcastle Knights
$41 Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles
$67 Canberra Raiders
$101 Melbourne Storm
$201 Brisbane Broncos
$751 Gold Coast Titans, Parramatta Eels
$1001 Wests Tigers
$5001 St George Illawarra Dragons
Cowboys v Roosters betting tips
As mentioned the Cowboys have matched up well against the Roosters in the past few years, and those three wins from their past four have come on the back of outstanding defence. They have reached 20 points only once in the their past 10 matches against the Roosters so if they are to win this one you would think they will again stifle the Roosters’ attacking weapons. We think the value in this one lies with the home team to win, or at least lose by a small margin. The Roosters got out of jail last weekend with a late field goal from Daly Cherry-Evans sinking the Knights. Expect a similarly close game this time as both teams’ hopes for the NRL season are tested.
Cowboys by 2 points.
- North Qld +5.5/match total under 45.5 points at $3.35 with Australian betting sites.
- Scott Drinkwater to score a try at any time at around $2.90. The fullback often rises to the big occasion.
NRL round 22, 2026
- Thursday, July 30: Cowboys v Roosters, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 7.50pm
- Friday, July 31: Dragons v Dolphins, WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 6pm
Storm v Bulldogs, AAMI Park, Melbourne | 8pm - Saturday, August 1: Titans v Warriors, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 3pm
Panthers v Raiders, Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee | 5.30pm
Broncos v Knights, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7.35pm - Sunday, August 2: Sharks v Rabbitohs, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney | 2pm
Wests Tigers v Eels, CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 4.05pm
* Sea Eagles have the bye
