Brad Inger previews the round six clash between the Roosters and the Warriors. Here’s what we have to look forward to.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Sunday 17 April, 2:00pm (4:00pm NZ Time)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesRoosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Kevin Naiqama 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Angus Crichton 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Adam Keighran 21. Renouf Atoni 22. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 23. Joseph Suaalii 24. Drew Hutchison
There is a handful of changes for the home side, with Sam Verrills returning to the hooker position and Drew Hutchison moving to the extended bench. Daniel Suluka-Fifita joins him on the extended bench, with Siosiua Taukeiaho returning to the bench.
Embed from Getty ImagesWarriors:
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Adam Pompey 5. Ed Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Matt Lodge 11. Euan Aitken 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Josh Curran 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Aaron Pene 17. Eliesa Katoa 18. Taniela Otukolo 20. Viliami Vailea 21. Pride Petterson-Robati 22. Rocco Berry 23. Otukinekina Kepu 24. Junior Ratuva 25. Valingi Kepu
Two changes for the visitors this round, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from injury to replace Marcelo Montoya, who is waiting to hear how severe the punishment for his contrary conduct charge is but is likely to be suspended for a spell. Eliesa Katoa moves onto the bench with Jack Murchie being dropped from the squad entirely.
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Roosters have had a rocky start to the 2022 season but walk into round six with back-to-back wins after narrowly defeating the Broncos 24-20. They were given a scare, but as a genuine top-four contender, the Roosters can never be written off. They have an impressive forward pack and a backline filled to the brim with scoring threats. With Luke Keary and Sam Walker building a great combination, they have all the tools needed to get the win here. The points will come if they can get the ball to Joseph Manu on the edge.
The Warriors come into this match on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Cowboys 25-24 in Golden Point. The spine is building cohesion, and their ability to create scoring opportunities improves each round. The New Zealand side will need a significant effort from their forward pack; if they can control the middle of the park and strengthen their defensive structure, they could be looking at their fourth win in a row.
This should be an exciting matchup, the Warriors are building confidence, but this will be their biggest challenge to date; however, they have a talented side that can cause an upset. The Roosters come into the game as favourites and will be looking to make a statement that could lead to a fascinating Easter Sunday. Both clubs are wearing heritage strips representing the jerseys the sides wore twenty years ago when they faced each other in the 2002 Grand Final, which will fill the occasion with a healthy dose of nostalgia.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
In the 41 clashes between these sides, the teams are hard to split, with the Warriors having a slight lead with 21 victories to the Roosters 19; they also have battled to one draw. Recent history leans towards Sydney City, who defeated the Warriors 32-12 in 2021. The SCG has also been a lucky hunting ground for the Roosters, who have won 20 of their 27 matches at the venue, whereas the New Zealand side has only managed one victory out of three at the ground.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Roosters by 14
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