Palm Beach Rock Bed
Palmy Sky v Sea
Underwater Yellow
Underwater Colours
Crisp – Palm Beach
Palmy
North Queensland Cowboys crush Sydney Roosters
It was all too easy for the Cowboys as they cruised to a massive 42-10 win over the Roosters who are looking far from the side they were last season.
80 Minutes in 80 Seconds:
The Cowboys opened proceedings at a blistering pace with the Northerners scoring three tries in the first 20 minutes. However, the Roosters aren’t ranked the second best defensive team in the NRL for nothing, and it was the veteran Anthony Minichiello who got the Sydney boys on the board.
The Roosters were starting to gain momentum before a contentious decision saw Captain Johnathan Thurston diving over the line after a Brent Tate fumble.
Following another Roosters blunder, the Cowboys were impeccable in their retaliation and some expansive ball play saw winger Matthew Wright prove to be the embodiment of their revitalised formation, giving the Cowboys a 30-6 half time lead.
The second half was all North Queensland with the side dominating possession, territory and getting the rub of the green with the referees. The Roosters couldn’t keep up with the Cowboys relentless attack and by the 60th minute the Cowboys were up 36-6 with the game all but over.
Kane Linnett’s hat trick was the icing on the cake for the Cowboys as the centre went crashing over in the 71st minute, extending the Cowboys lead to 42-6. The Roosters managed a consolation try after some Tuivasa-Sheck brilliance to finish with a 42-10 drubbing.
Who Killed It:
Johnathan Thurston put NSW on high alert as his standout display summarised the brilliant talent the half contains. His influence on the Cowboys was consolidated by his combination with late inclusion Robert Lui, as the two terrorised the Roosters. Do New South Wales fans really need another reason to be worried about Origin?
Who Stank It Up:
Spectators of this encounter would be baffled to know that the Roosters only average 14 points conceded per game and are ranked as the second best defence in the competition. Their defence was a shamble tonight, and their inability to capitalise on opportunities highlighted their lack of venom in attack.
What Do I Need To Know:
Gavin Cooper was stretchered from the field in the 52nd minute after a hip dislocation, while Cameron King was carried off after reportedly “feeling his knee go.” Origin camp’s had their hearts in their mouths as Boyd Cordner (ankle) and Brent Tate (leg and hip) showed obvious signs of pain in a tackle they were both adversely affected in.
What The..:
What has happened to the Roosters? The reigning premiers’ performance emulated that of the wooden spooner’s and need to get back on track, soon.
Look Out Up Ahead:
The Cowboys take on the struggling Canberra Raiders, Sunday 3pm at Canberra Stadium, as they will look to make it three wins in a row. The reigning premiers are on the road as they shape up against the Bulldogs who have won five on the trot, Friday 7.45pm.
Sam Alexander
Article published on sportal.com.au – http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/match-centre/314105/nrl#postmatch
North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters Match Preview
What: NRL Round 10
Who: North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters
When: Saturday May 17 – 7.30pm
Where: Townsville Stadium
I Can Watch It On: FOX Sports
Things You Need To Know:
The Cowboys receive a huge boost with the return of three key players in Ray Thompson, Antonio Winterstein and Tariq Sims. Robert Lui is again dropped for Thompson while Curtis Rona (ankle) makes way for Winterstein. Sims returns following his ankle injury while wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo is a hopeful despite picking up an injury last week. Mitchell Pearce’s nightclub antics have hurt the Roosters with Sonny Bill-Williams set to become a makeshift five-eighth. Maloney will shift to halfback to cover for his suspended comrade.
Reason To Watch:
James Maloney will be thrust under the spotlight in what is a perfect lead-in to Origin. All eyes will be on the halfback as he looks to make a final down payment on a Blues jumper. He’ll need a stinker to blow it.
Reason To Turn Away:
There are plenty of quality nightclubs in Townsville so Nick Politis may want to organise a charter flight out of there straight after fulltime.
Say What:
“They’ve (NSW) stated their Origin half is Mitchell Pearce and I don’t think that should change it. If they want him, they’ll pick him.” – Trent Robinson has no doubts who should wear the NSW No.7
Final Word:
Although the Cowboys have been one of the more inconsistent teams of the season, they can turn it on at home. The Roosters will struggle without their halfback after a week of unwanted distraction. Cowboys by 6.
Sam Alexander
Published on sportal.com.au –
http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/match-centre/314105/nrl
Crusaders Demolish Hapless Reds
The Crusaders made it four wins in a row and kept their finals hopes alive with a crushing 57-29 bonus-point win over the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
Reds supporters laid witness to the most points ever scored at Suncorp in Super Rugby, unfortunately most of them against their side.
Visiting fly-half Colin Slade was the stand-out, sinking 11 goals from as many attempts and playing a significant hand in his side’s comfortable win.
Coming into the match in last place in the Australian conference, the Reds were playing for pride and started well with an early 3-0 lead.
The Crusaders hit back three minutes later through a barnstorming try to winger Nemani Nadolo. The Crusaders’ discipline then came under scrutiny and six long arm penalties in a short period resulted in half Andy Ellis being sent to the bin.
The Reds took full advantage, running in two tries in just three minutes.
Leading 17-16 the Reds were flying, however the Crusaders were swift in their retaliation with an energetic start to the second half, yielding two quick tries.
Prop Wyatt Crockett crashed over following a cheeky quick tap in the 43rd minute and then winger Johnny McNicholl scored a beautiful runaway try after a brilliant Israel Dagg kick.
Any chance the Reds had of restoring some pride was dashed as they failed to deal with a Crusaders high ball resulting in No.8 Sam Whitelock crashing over the line. It had the Crusaders up 40-17 and home fans leaving despite having 20 minutes to go.
The tries kept coming as the Crusaders eased to a comfortable win.
Sam Alexander
Report published on sportal.com.au – http://www.sportal.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/crusaders-demolish-hapless-reds/sfnb21ejijvt1nh2yjhhery0a
S.J.A 