Check out the match preview and prediction for the NRL Finals Week 2 clash between the Sydney Roosters and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday September 21, 7:50pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Dominic Young, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Connor Watson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Naufahu Whyte, 14. Siua Wong, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Terrell May, 18. Zach Dockar-Clay, 19. Fetalaiga Pauga, 20. Blake Steep, 21. Michael Jennings, 22. Victor Radley
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Tommy Talau, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Karl Lawton, 13. Jake Trbojevic, 14. Ben Trbojevic, 15. Josh Aloiai, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Nathan Brown, 18. Clayton Faulalo, 19. Jamie Humphreys, 20. Toafofoa Sipley, 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong, 22. Corey Waddell
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
This semi-final is a battle between a wounded Sydney Roosters side seeking redemption and a Manly Warringah side looking to continue their fairytale run.
Heading into the finals, Easts looked capable of challenging Penrith and Melbourne’s dominance, but a horror afternoon against Canberra in round 26 (a 14-12 loss and injuries to Sam Walker, Brandon Smith, and Victor Radley) hurt their premiership hopes. While they had a relatively comfortable final round win over Souths, the reality check came in the qualifying final (losing 30-10). Penrith had the game sewn up by half-time, leading 24-0. While the Roosters got two tries back after the break (Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, James Tedesco) and had a third try disallowed for a forward pass, it was too late to worry the Panthers.
Manly have recovered from the rock bottom of the 2022 “Pride Jersey” scandal to return to the finals for the first time since 2021. While they missed out on a home final with a round 27 loss to Cronulla-Sutherland, before that they’d won six from eight to secure a top eight spot. They also beat Canterbury-Bankstown twice in the space of three weeks, including a 24-22 elimination final win. The pro-Bulldogs crowd at Accor Stadium didn’t bother Manly as they came from 22-12 down – with tries to Daly Cherry-Evans and Tolutau Koula. DCE scored off a beautiful wrap-around scrum play, while Koula sealed the game with a 30-metre run as Manly went down the left sideline. And Reuben Garrick’s perfect four goals from four was vital.
Manly and the Roosters split their two meetings in 2024: Manly won 21-14 in round 2 and the Roosters won 34-30 in round 21.
The Roosters welcome back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from suspension. With JWH off to Hull KR next season, he’ll be motivated for one last premiership tilt in the NRL. Radley is part of the extended bench and could return to the starting side. Nat Butcher goes back to the bench. Manly have the same 17 from the Canterbury win, with Jason Saab still unavailable.
The Allianz Stadium surface could be a big factor in this game. This will be the second game there in 24 hours, so there may be some wear and tear, especially if there’s rain around. As this is their home ground, the Roosters will have the advantage, while Manly haven’t played there since their last clash with the Roosters.
Can the Roosters take the momentum from their slightly improved second half against Penrith into this game? And how well will Manly back up after their elimination final win? Have they already played their ‘grand final’?
Check out the NRL Finals Stats Number Crunch here.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Roosters by 6 points.
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