Cowboys coach apologises for ‘one of our darkest days’ after Roosters flogging
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has apologised for his side’s 82-12 loss to the Roosters, describing it as one of the darkest days in the club’s history.
The Roosters equalled the NRL record for most points by half-time after putting 48 past the home side.
James Tedesco celebrates the opening try against the Cowboys on Thursday. Getty Images
Newcastle had set the record in 2003 which was ironically against the Cowboys.
“As coach of this club, it’s one of our darkest days, if not the darkest day, and I would like to apologise to our members and fans who turned up today and those that watched it at home,” Payten said in his press conference.
“It’s just not good enough.”
The Roosters started the rout with a third minute try to James Tedesco before North Queensland struck back through Braidon Burns to make it 6-6.
But from there Sam Walker and Tedesco inspired the Roosters to first half dominance.
Walker grabbed himself a double as did Tedesco while Hugo Savala, Salesi Foketi, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tommy Talau scored too. The Roosters almost broke the record on half-time too when Walker crossed against, but the try was ruled out for offside. The score at half-time was 48-6.
Walker had one try assist while Tedesco finished the first half with three.
North Queensland came into the match off the back of beating Brisbane and knocking them out of the finals race.
“There are excuses, emotionally last Saturday they had a huge game against the Broncos, Townsville was buzzing,” Andrew Johns said on Nine’s coverage.
“It’s incredibly hard on short turnarounds to back up, but this is totally unacceptable.”
Tedesco was put on ice at half-time and replaced by Cody Ramsey.
Nawaqanitawase then scored immediately after the break when Murray Taulagi dropped a high kick.
“This is beyond soft and we’re not talking about mugs here, Murray Taulagi has played Origin ... totally unacceptable. Go and defend in the middle for a few sets Murray, you won’t drop any more,” Johns said.
Sam Walker scores for the Roosters on Thursday. Getty Images
After Taulagi’s error, the try-scoring flurry didn’t stop there with the Roosters finishing 82-12 winners.
The result made it the first time since 1935 that a team has scored 80 points in a game.
“This would be highly embarrassing, particularly when playing at home ... this is as embarrassing as it gets,” Cameron Smith said of the Cowboys.
Overall, the Roosters finished with 14 tries as Nawaqanitawase and Walker finished with hat-tricks.
With 36 points, Walker matched the individual record for most points in a game in the NRL era. Terry Campese and Ryan Papenhuyzen are the other two players to have achieved that total.
Cowboys star Reuben Cotter spoke at full-time and his comments suggested Todd Payten’s half-time message didn’t sink.
“Toddy said we had a choice to make, to go out there and show some action and show some care for the jersey and not let it get more embarrassing, which it did,” he said.
“There’s not much to say really.”
Cotter had only played 48 minutes for the Cowboys while fellow key player Jason Taumololo featured for 40.
Payten explained that decision was around giving them a rest.
Reuben Cotter and Todd Payten. Nine
In the press conference, Cotter said the result meant it was “the most embarrassing game I’ve ever been a part of”.
“We didn’t turn up physically, we were loose across the park,” he said.
Payten’s frustration was clear as the press conference went on, dropping an accidental swear word as he explained there are three tough matches in the club’s search for finals.
Payten refuses to promise any wholesale changes, stating only Griffin Neame would come back, and claimed the side he put out there was the best team.
