NRL 2021: Sydney Roosters win 34-18 over North Queensland Cowboys | Match Report

The Cowboys started strong but their season is now in crisis mode after a Roosters comeback led to their fifth straight loss.

It wasn’t always pretty, but rookie sensation Sam Walker found the touches that led the depleted Roosters to a 34-18 win over North Queensland in Townsville.

With New South Wales skipper James Tedesco rested and the Roosters already stretched thin due to injuries and retirements, the Tricolours needed someone to show the way.

Walker is every inch a 19-year old rookie - he took some time to work his way into the game and was heavily targeted by the Cowboys.

But with the scores level at 18-all heading into the final 15 minutes it was Walker who found the touch - first he put backrower Sitili Tupouniua over with a sharp short pass before he darted over for a try of his own to seal the result.

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Sam Walker took his time to get going but helped spark the Roosters comeback. Picture: Getty Images.

WALKER IS ON

It was a mature display from Walker, who shrugged off some early errors to find his best form when it mattered most.

Former Sharks premiership coach Shane Flanagan compared Walker to James Maloney in commentary - in that he’s able to shrug off his mistakes, stay on the job and keep playing his own game.

It was a good showing from Walker after he attracted controversy following his backwards run in the dying seconds against the Bulldogs last week.

“I don’t really go much on social media but I know my own game and I know what’s right or wrong for myself,” Walker said.

Robinson lauded Walker’s patience and his ability to adapt his game to the week-to-week rigours of the NRL.

“If you want to play in this league for a long time and play those positions you have to understand how to play the game at NRL level. He’s learning and he’s learning quickly,” Robinson said.

“We were patient. We haven’t been patient. It’s the first time this year we’ve been that way. I’m really pumped.

“As a coach you’ll get technical tomorrow. But I saw a team today. I’m really excited by that.

“We’ve been playing footy. But we haven’t always been playing that footy.”

The Roosters have come under fire in recent weeks but now have back to back wins to all but secure their spot in the top eight. Picture: Getty Images.

HUTCHO DIGS DEEP

Walker will rightly win the headlines, but spare a thought for his five-eighth, the ever-reliable Drew Hutchison.

It wasn’t so long ago that Hutchison thought his NRL career could be over after he suffered a serious rib injury and a collapsed lung against Parramatta earlier this year.

But the 26-year old has made every post a winner since his comeback against the Storm three rounds ago and he produced a classy performance to kick-start the Roosters fightback.

After Trent Robinson’s side trailed 12-0 inside the opening 15 minutes, Hutchison set up three tries to give the Bondi side a 14-12 halftime lead.

“That first half we fought really hard, our middles worked extremely hard in defence. Through that we were able to build a fair bit of pressure,” Hutchison said on Fox League after the match.

“We just want to play what we see. It’s up to me to pick the right option and play what we see down there.

“I’m sucking in the big ones when I can but it’s good to string some games back together.”

Cowboys players were emotional after their fifth straight loss. Picture: Fox League.

PLEASE HAMMER, DON’T HURT ‘EM

Backing up from his Origin debut on Wednesday night, Cowboys flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow played the best game of his NRL career.

After switching to fullback following Valentine Holmes’ shoulder injury, Tabuai-Fidow showed all of his speed and grace in a scorching display.

What’s terrifying is Tabuai-Fidow is still just scratching the surface of his incredible talent - he finished with 257 metres from 18 runs to go with nine tackle busts and two linebreaks.

“I thought he was pretty flat yesterday at training, he didn’t talk much, but he needed to get moving,” said Cowboys coach Todd Payten.

“My message to him today was simple, just push up and be on the ball. I hope he improves again.

“He’s a young kid, he’s 19 and he’s played the biggest game of his life. It’s emotionally draining, not just physically. It’s going to be a challenge for him but we’ll look after him.”