The Roosters have equalled the NRL record for most points by half-time after putting 48 past the Cowboys in a 40-minute Townsville boilover.

Newcastle had set the record in 2003 which was ironically against the Cowboys.

James Tedesco celebrates the opening try against the Cowboys on Thursday. Getty Images

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.

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.

Sam Walker scores for the Roosters on Thursday. Getty Images

“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.”