NRL: Roosters wait on Tedesco call

Sydney Roosters skipper James Tedesco has been placed on standby for State of Origin following an injury to Dylan Edwards.

As things stand, Tedesco will play for the Roosters when they take on North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday, but that could change.

Edwards has soreness in his quad and New South Wales will turn to Tedesco if the Penrith Panthers star is ruled out. A final decision will be made before the Roosters face the Cowboys.

The Roosters can be backed at 10.00 to win the 2024 grand final, but they are six points behind the pacesetters and need a victory over the Cowboys.

The Cowboys appear to be back on track with two wins, but a trip to Allianz to take on the Roosters will be a much sterner test.

Todd Payten’s side are 2.25 to make the top eight but there is still work to be done following a disappointing campaign so far.

. What: Sydney Roosters v North Queensland Cowboys
. Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
. When: 16:05 (AEST), Sunday 2nd June 2024
. How to watch: Kayo, Foxtel, Channel 9
. Odds: Sydney Roosters 1.11, North Queensland Cowboys 6.50

Keary boost for Roosters

While James Tedesco’s participation in the Cowboys clash is still in doubt, the Roosters are boosted by the return of Luke Keary.

Keary was in the New South Wales camp as cover for Nicho Hynes, but has been released and is free to play in the halves on Sunday.

They are still missing Origin stars Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu, along with versatile outside back Joseph Sua'ali’i, so their strength in depth will be tested.

The Bondi outfit returned to winning ways when smashing the Raiders 44-16 last week, but it will be a different side that takes to the pitch against the Cowboys.

But they still have plenty of quality, including Joseph Manu, who has scored six tries in his last five games.

The Kiwi centre can be backed at 9.00 to score the first try of the game, while star winger Dominic Young can be backed at 5.00.

The Roosters are the hot fancies to win the game and are 1.53 to win by 13+ points.

Cowboys missing star men

The Cowboys have won their last two, but both were against struggling sides, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers.

Sunday will be a bigger test and they will also have to do it with a number of players who are on Origin duty.

Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai are in the Queensland camp, while hooker Reece Robson is with New South Wales.

They have not enjoyed their trips to Sydney this season, losing three of the last four games.

North Queensland did win this fixture by 16 points last season but look a different side in 2024 as they struggle to rediscover that form.

Shocks do happen though and the Cowboys can be backed at 15.00 to snatch the game by 1-5 points.