NRL results 2016: Cowboys prevail 40-0 over an injury ridden Roosters side after an upset to the Eels last week

After a shock upset to the Parramatta Eels last week, the North Queensland Cowboys have returned home determined after defeating a scoreless Sydney Roosters side 40-0 at 1300Smiles Stadium.

NRL’s Thursday night match kept Cowboys fans entertained for the entire 80 minutes whilst Roosters supporters watched in despair as their team let in a record breaking seven tries against the home side. With two tries in the first eight minutes it was Lachlan Coote creating the most damage alongside Johnathan Thurston. Gaining two try assists and a try for himself next to the posts in the 39th minute, Coote demanded the ball all game, creating opportunities the Cowboys were able to capitalise on.

Man of the match James Tamou gained 224 metres throughout the game and in his post match interview praised the team’s defence.

“The most pleasing thing was our defence … we knew the points would come as long as we put pressure on them,” he said. And pressure them they did.

Continuing their dominance in the second half the Cowboys went on to score four more tries including a try during their last play, which left Roosters hooker Ian Henderson with a leg injury, needing to be stretchered off. Johnathan Thurston converted six from seven including his final kick from the sideline after the whistle to send the Roosters off 40-0.

The unlucky Roosters have been ridden with injuries as centre Dale Copley exited the game in the first half, which saw him out for the remainder of the match. Copley joins prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who suffered an ACL injury in round 24 of last year, making it two devastating blows for the Roosters. They are set to feel the heat further with Mitchell Pearce not returning until round nine against Newcastle at Allianz Stadium, after he copped an eight week ban before the start of the season.

Cowboys coach Paul Green remained humble in his team's thrashing over the Roosters, stating that he was “happy with they way we responded … but we have to keep it in check, they’ve got a fair few players out but we can only do what we have to do so i’m pretty happy with the win.”

“There’s always room for improvement,” Green added.

The Cowboys take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium next week in a rematch of last year’s grand final, which will see them looking to back up this week’s efforts as the Broncos hunt for redemption.