Live coverage of Friday night's do-or-die showdown from Allianz Stadium.
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Evening sports fans and welcome to tonight's sudden death semi-final coverage of Sydney Roosters v the North Queensland Cowboys from Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
The word is Cowboys coach Paul Green will start James Tamou at lock to combat the big Roosters pack. If it's true it'll give them real size and should be some battle up front in the opening minutes.
Big additions for the Roosters tonight, with Aidan Guerra and Jake Friend back in the starting pack. The Cowboys lost Tariq Sims during the week to suspension and he'll be a big loss against a top-shelf Roosters pack.
The defending premiers would have been stung by last weekend's late loss to the Panthers, but the Cowboys have got JT, so if the North Queensland forwards can give him any kind of platform, they're a chance.
Phil Gould suggested during the week on the Gus and Webby Show on smh.com.au that Sonny Bill looked like he was frustrated with his teammates in recent weeks, and that he might take that frustration out on the Cowboys tonight. He's certainly due.
He's had plenty of good games this year, but not as many big moments as he had last year and just hasn't dominated like he needs to. If the Roosters are to win tonight, SBW needs to deliver the sort of performances we saw in last year's finals series.
A healthy crowd in attendance, given that the away team brings very few fans.
A bit dewy and slippery under foot, but the surface is not too bad, and the weather is cool and perfect for fast, open footy.
This should be a ripper, particularly up front early.
The players are taking the field and kick-off is not far away.
And we're under way here ...
As he leads the boys out tonight, congratulations to MINI on becoming the Club’s equal most capped player! #RiseAgain #301Club — Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) September 19, 2014
First penalty of the night to the Cows, and they'll get the first chance to attack.
3rd min: Mitchell Pearce collects a grubber kick 5 metres out from his own line and runs the length of the field to score. What a start for the Roosters. James Maloney converts.
Roosters 6 Cowboys 0
Thurston was tackled with the ball on the 5th tackle and Michael Morgan was forced to kick on the last for the Cows - and that's what happened. What about the form of Pearce? It's great to see, and maybe a few people will now get off his back.