Gus stunned as Cowboys star binned for 'accident'

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Heilum Luki could both be facing a nervous wait following a spirited affair between the Roosters and Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

And with a host of representative players unavailable due to State of Origin commitments, it was the undermanned visitors who came out on top with a resilient 18-16 victory at Allianz Stadium.

The win could come at a cost for North Queensland however, with their star back-rower binned and placed on report for an ugly tackle on Sitili Tupouniua.

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The decision from the officials certainly divided opinion, with Phil Gould left in disbelief on the Nine broadcast.

“I think it’s more of a momentum accident type of thing,” he said.

“Tupouniua comes down on his back and he gets up pretty quickly. It’s just an accident – it doesn’t deserve a sin bin. He doesn’t deserve a sin bin at all.”

Luki wasn’t the only player to find himself in hot water, with Waerea-Hargreaves was placed on report for a brutal high shot on Thomas Mikaele.

Given his extensive judiciary record, the 35-year-old could be set for a stint on the sidelines after the Bunker picked up his high contact on the Cowboys enforcer.

The hosts took a 10-point lead into half-time after Dom Young crossed for a try, but the second half was all about the Cowboys.

However, despite being down to 12 men at a crucial period of the game, North Queensland rallied and managed to narrow the margin through Scott Drinkwater, before powerful back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki put his side on top.

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Young almost bagged a double with less than five minutes to go and put his side back in front, but dropped the ball just before the line in an attempt to offload.

The towering winger flew down the sideline moments later, but was stopped by some desperate Cowboys cover defence.

The final seconds saw a frantic Roosters outfit toss the ball around like they were the Harlem Globetrotters, but Sam Walker’s grubber kick was defused quickly.

“This would be the upset of the year so far, I would imagine,” Gould said.

“This has been brilliant. This could turn their whole season around.”

North Queensland were missing the likes of Valentine Holmes and Tom Dearden due to Origin duties, while the Chooks were without James Tedesco and Joseph Suaalii.