Roosters unleash frightening potential with ruthless Cowboys demolition—future looks unstoppable as young stars shine in stunning 42-8 masterclass.
The Sydney Roosters have sent a powerful message to the rest of the NRL following a comprehensive 42-8 win over the North Queensland Cowboys, with club captain James Tedesco expressing excitement — and a bit of awe — over the potential of the club’s young stars. After a challenging start to the season and a significant loss of veteran experience over the offseason, the Roosters now appear to be transitioning into a formidable new era.
The match, one of their most dominant showings in 2025, saw the Roosters score five tries in the second half alone, lifting them to seventh on the ladder. It marked a huge turnaround for a team that, just a few months ago, looked directionless after suffering a 50-point loss to the Broncos and dropping four of their first five matches.
The team had lost nearly 1,000 games of combined player experience following a major off-season exodus, raising alarms about whether the rebuild would be a slow one. Instead, Sunday’s emphatic win over the Cowboys — their largest margin of victory this year — served as a definitive response to critics, showcasing just how fast their youth movement has progressed.
Despite injuries to Siua Wong and five-eighth Sandon Smith, who both sustained knee concerns, the team’s depth was on full display. Salesi Foketi was outstanding at lock in place of Victor Radley, playing a central role in setting up the opening try with a sharp short ball to Lindsay Collins. He remained influential during a crucial second-half surge, combining well with Angus Crichton and Sandon Smith, whose kick set up a try for Tedesco.
Among the standout performances was bench hooker Benaiah Ioelu, appearing in just his fourth NRL game. His creative kicking directly contributed to two tries: one through a lucky bounce that allowed Robert Toia to set up Connor Watson, and another via a well-placed cross-field kick for Daniel Tupou.
Billy Smith continued his breakout season with two tries of his own, showcasing his class now that he’s finally enjoying an injury-free stretch. Naufahu Whyte made a major impression as well, running for 173 metres and reinforcing his case as one of the NRL’s most improved players.
Mark Nawaqanitawase also scored a double on the right wing, further solidifying his growing reputation. One of his tries was made possible by the acrobatic skills of young halfback Hugo Savala, who tapped the ball back in-play to create the opportunity.
Coach Trent Robinson credited the leadership group for establishing a culture that has empowered the club’s new generation to not only find their feet but thrive. He emphasized the importance of giving young players the freedom to play their natural game, rather than forcing them to mimic older models of play. “You can beat them down and say, ‘This is how it’s done,’ or you can let them be themselves,” Robinson said. “And that’s what Teddy [Tedesco] promotes — you can see that influence in how we’re playing.”
Tedesco, now playing arguably his best football in the No.1 jersey, agreed with Robinson’s sentiment, saying the younger players had started showing promise during the pre-season. He believes that their work ethic and ability to seize key moments bode extremely well for the Roosters’ future. “It’s going to be scary how good these guys are in the next two to three years,” he said. “They’re already shining after just 15 games. They’re not chasing the highlight reel — they’re putting in the hard work each week.”
Tedesco wasn’t just talking about others — he led by example in the match, scoring a try, creating another for Billy Smith with a line break, and being involved again as Smith secured his second. His most important contribution, though, may have come on defense: a one-on-one strip on John Bateman just before halftime, preventing the Cowboys from narrowing the scoreline and potentially altering momentum.
While the Roosters seem to be thriving, the Cowboys are reeling. After being humbled 58-4 by the Dolphins last week, they’ve now dropped to 12th on the ladder. Coach Todd Payten described the performance as “disappointing” and said his players were physically outmatched. “It was men against boys out there,” Payten admitted, expressing deep concern over his side’s lack of resilience.
Meanwhile, Roosters management is still exploring the potential recruitment of veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, despite his recent exclusion from Queensland’s Origin side and the emergence of promising playmakers like Savala and Smith. Cherry-Evans, now in his final season with Manly, has endured a dip in form and has not made a final decision on his playing future.
Coach Robinson confirmed that while the club remains interested in Cherry-Evans, there have been no recent developments. He reaffirmed his belief that Cherry-Evans could add value to the team, even as their younger options flourish. “We haven’t changed our position. Nothing has moved, but we also haven’t closed the door,” Robinson said.
He also noted that there is room in the team structure for Cherry-Evans to coexist with Savala, Sam Walker (who is signed through 2027), and Sandon Smith. Savala, at 194 cm, could potentially shift to the back row or outside backs, allowing flexibility in how the squad is constructed.
As for the Cowboys, they’re trying to regroup, with Queensland Origin players Jeremiah Nanai and Tom Dearden expected to return, while others like Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson are being rested. Payten said those players were carrying minor injuries that needed time to heal in anticipation of a long road ahead.
In broader NRL action, the Melbourne Storm narrowly defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a thrilling golden-point contest. The Storm were expected to win comfortably, especially with key players like Harry Grant and Cameron Munster returning from Origin. However, Latrell Mitchell turned in a stunning performance to bring his undermanned Rabbitohs side back from the brink.
Mitchell assisted in three tries for winger Alex Johnston with identical long passes and then set up a fourth try for Tyrone Munro via a clever 40-metre grubber kick after noticing a gap in the Storm’s defense. That play leveled the scores late in the game, though Mitchell missed the sideline conversion that could have sealed the win. Ultimately, Ryan Papenhuyzen kicked the winning field goal in golden point, breaking South Sydney’s hearts.
Despite the loss, Rabbitohs centre Jack Wighton praised his team’s effort and determination. Mitchell, in particular, drew widespread praise for stepping up when it mattered most, proving his critics wrong after a tough Origin campaign.
Taken together, the round was a reminder of both the unpredictability and promise of the 2025 NRL season. The Roosters appear to be on the verge of something special, while other clubs, like the Cowboys, are still searching for their identity. And stars like Mitchell continue to show why they a
re the heart and soul of their teams.
