Saturday’s NRL Finals 2017 match is between Sydney Roosters and Nth Queensland Cowboys. The opening kick is set to commence at 19:40 local time with the game to be played at Allianz Stadium. The home team Sydney Roosters are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Sydney Roosters and Nth Queensland Cowboys.
When: 19:40 | Saturday 23/09/2017
Where: Allianz Stadium
Preview:
North Queensland have never won three straight weeks in Sydney, but they haven’t cared too much for history in the most unlikely of finals runs. Without Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, the Cowboys have come from behind in both of their two do-or-die matches to become the first eighth-placed team to reach the third week of the finals under the current system. Somehow, despite all the fanfare surrounding their run, they’ve still managed to be the most composed team when it matters most in their wins over Cronulla and Parramatta, so expect Saturday night to be no different. Meanwhile the Roosters have enjoyed a week off, allowing their bodies to refresh from their tight week-one win over Brisbane. Luke Keary will overcome a bout of food poisoning to play, while Daniel Tupou has fought off an ongoing groin complaint to be named on the wing.
Key: The Roosters have made no secret of the fact they have to stop the rampaging Jason Taumalolo. The Cowboys’ past two opponents in Sharks and Eels tried and that didn’t end so well for them. Taumalolo this season has run the most metres of any forward in the history of the game, at an average of 196m per game. He and the Cowboys have shown no signs of running out of puff. A similar effort by Taumalolo on Saturday could take the Cowboys to the most unlikely of grand finals.
Tip: Roosters
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Sydney Roosters at $1.40
Value BET: First Try Scorer – Blake Ferguson at $9.00
More Info:
Head to Head: Roosters 25 Cowboys 10
Last clash: Round 21 2017 – Roosters 22 bt Cowboys 16 at Allianz Stadium
Tab: Roosters $1.35 Cowboys $3.30 Draw $1.00
FootyTAB: Cowboys +8.0
Teams:
Roosters: 
1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Mitchell Aubusson 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Isaac Liu 14. Ryan Matterson 15. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 16. Zane Tetevano 17. Connor Watson 18. Kane Evans 19. Victor Radley 20. Joseph Manu 22. Mitchell Cornish
Cowboys: 
1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Michael Morgan 8. John Asiata 9. Jake Granville 10. Scott Bolton 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Corey Jensen 17. Shaun Fensom 18. Ray Thompson 19. Javid Bowen 20. Braden Uele 21. Matt Scott
NRL News:
Canterbury’s decision to sack coach Des Hasler is unlikely to cost them Kieran Foran’s NRL signature for next season.
Foran signed a two-year deal in May with the Bulldogs, after he opted to leave the Warriors to move closer to his children in Sydney.
Despite his close relationship with Hasler, Foran did not have a get-out clause in his contract if the veteran coach was sacked.
The 27-year-old has been vocal in supporting the man who had handed him his 2009 debut at Manly. He has made no secret it was the appeal of Hasler that had lured him to Belmore.
But it’s understood nothing has changed at Foran’s end as far as his plans go for 2018.
Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib on Wednesday confirmed he had kept in contact with Foran and fellow big name recruit Aaron Woods after Hasler’s sacking and was still confident the pair would run out next year for Canterbury.
The club are under immense pressure to fit under next year’s proposed $9.4 million salary cap, but retaining Foran’s services remains important.
The Bulldogs have let five-eighth Josh Reynolds move to the Wests Tigers on a big-money deal, leaving them without a proven first-grade partner for Moses Mbye in the halves.
Cronulla reserve Fa’amanu Brown has been signed but he could play hooker if Michael Lichaa is not offered a new deal.
The Bulldogs’ rake had been farewelled last month by the club, but is understood to be a chance of remaining at Canterbury for 2018.
NSW State of Origin prop Woods reaffirmed his commitment to the club after he spoke with Dib following Hasler’s sacking.
“I’ve already signed – that’s all sweet,” Woods told Sky Sports Radio.
“It’s a tough one. I don’t know what’s happened inside the club there. I haven’t been there throughout the year with everything that’s gone on.
“I’m looking forward to a fresh start and really getting to know all the players and can’t wait to buy into the new culture the new coach is going to start.”
Dib believed Woods and Foran would be at Canterbury next year after speaking to them after the Bulldogs’ coaching bombshell.
“We’re keeping constant dialogue and contact,” Dib said.
“I’ve just spoken to them not long ago and advised them of the new direction of the club, and they’re looking forward to wearing the blue-and-white colours next year.”
