North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters: Five things we learned

THE reigning premiers enjoyed themselves in Townsville and made it a night to forget for the Roosters. Here’s what we took from the 40-0 victory.

North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Cowboys Jason Taumalolo palms off Roosters Jake Friend. Picture: Zak Simmonds

THE reigning premiers enjoyed themselves in Townsville and made it a night to forget for the Roosters. Here’s what we took from the 40- victory:

1. JASON Taumalolo has two facets of the game to work on before he is the ultimate NRL forward. Taumalolo’s running game is so strong, if his offloading and ball-playing improves he will be even harder to stop.

2. HOW will the Cowboys justify letting off-contract fullback Lachlan Coote leave the club if he does? Young gun Kalyn Ponga is waiting in the wings but Coote is playing sensational football and is such an asset with his playmaking ability.

3. DALE Copley has had a tough time since leaving the Broncos for the Roosters. He was lucky not to be slapped with an Origin ban after the Emerging camp, was with Mitchell Pearce during his meltdown and is looking at four months on the sidelines if his pec injury is serious.

4. ONE of Cowboys coach Paul Green’s strengths has been backing his beliefs. Green benched regular starting hooker Jake Granville again in place of Rory Kostjasyn and it worked as the Cowboys bolted to a 12-0 lead.

5. DYLAN Napa’s Origin suspension could have huge ramifications for the Maroons. Napa is arguably the best young prop in the NRL and Queensland doesn’t have a lot of depth in the front row.

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters: Five things we learned