Nathan Smith previews the Roosters hosting the Parramatta Eels at Bankwest Stadium. This is what we have to look forward to.
FORM LINE
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters have been the stand out side of the competition since it resumed on May 28. They’ve chalked up 129 points and only conceded 18. Despite losing their initial two games of the season, they are quickly demonstrating why they are back-to-back premiers on recent performances.
Parramatta Eels
The Eels made it five straight wins last week with a tough victory over the Penrith Panthers. They have backed up pre-season hype that they were a premiership chance thus far; however, their true test will be this week against the reigning champions.
SQUAD NEWS
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 14. Sam Verrills 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Mitchell Aubusson 20. Ryan Hall 21. Lachlan Lam.
Parramatta Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown 14. Ray Stone 15. Marata Niukore 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Peni Terepo 18. Brad Takairangi 19. David Gower 20. George Jennings 21. Jai Field.
KEY STAT
These two teams last met in the third round of 2019, where the Roosters won 32-18. Overall, their head-to-head stats are close, with the Roosters slightly edging the Eels at 65 wins to 62. One thing to note is that neither side has ever played each other at Bankwest Stadium; although it stands as a Roosters home game, the Eels have been able to make it a fortress over the past year-and-a-half, having only lost there twice.
BATTLE TO WATCH
James Tedesco v Clint Gutherson
The battle between Tedesco and Gutherson will be one to watch. Tedesco is, without argument, one of the NRL’s best players. If you glance your eyes over the stats, he’s everywhere to be found: four linebreaks, six linebreak assists, 1025 run metres, 344 kick return metres… it is an easier job to find a stat that he isn’t dominating thus far. If Tedesco plays his best, Parramatta will find it very difficult to get over the line.
Gutherson is not as talented as Tedesco, but his value to Parramatta is nonetheless vital. He is involved in most of their plays, which is evident given he sits fourth on most runs for the season at 102. Furthermore, he trumps Tedesco in metres made, at 1,033. It’s often said Gutherson leads by example and those stats exemplify how he gives every game his all so that nobody else on the paddock has an excuse to perform poorly.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Saturday June 20.
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta.
Kick-off: 7:35pm (local).
This will be a huge test for Parramatta; they will be up to the challenge, however I expect the Roosters may be slightly too good on the day. Expect an even contest and an exciting battle, with the Roosters winning by a margin of eight.
Roosters by eight.
