Cormac Pearson previews this Sunday’s 2pm clash at the SCG between the all-star Roosters and the struggling Titans.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters are coming into this one off a grinding win against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, though Boyd Cordner, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosiua Taukeiaho all left the field early to injury. A win this week puts them in box seat to cement a top four position.
Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast are deservedly heavy outsiders in this match as they have been struggling to find their feet all year. SInce the loss of coach Garth Brennan they have continued to not get into games. A big loss to the Broncos at home will have Titans fans hoping for a lift against last year’s premiers.
SQUAD NEWS
Sydney Roosters
Waerea-Hargreaves, Taukeiaho and captain Boyd Cordner will all be missing this week for the Roosters, with Angus Crichton, Isaac Liu and Zane Tetevano moving into the starting lineup, and Poasa Faamausili and Lindsay Collins onto the bench.
Sydney Roosters’ squad: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Isaac Liu 9. Sam Verrills 10. Zane Tetevano 11. Angus Crichton 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley 14. Nat Butcher 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Lindsay Collins 17. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Matt Ikuvalu 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Max Bailey
Gold Coast Titans
Dale Copley and Alexander Brimson will miss this week due to injury, replaced by Brian Kelly and Ryley Jacks respectively. Brenko Lee moves onto the bench for Leilani Latu and Ash Taylor is a small chance after being named in the extended squad.
Gold Coast Titans’ squad: 1. Michael Gordon 2. Anthony Don 3. Kallum Watkins 4. Brian Kelly 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ryley Jacks 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Jack Stockwell 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Sam Stone 13. Jai Whitbread. 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Brenko Lee 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Ash Taylor 19. Mitch Rein 20. Will Matthews 21. Leilani Latu
HEAD TO HEAD
The Roosters will be looking to make it five from their last five against Gold Coast. Their head-to-head meetings: 11 Roosters wins and 8 Titans wins from 19 games. This will be the first time these two sides have clashed at the SCG.
KEY BATTLE
Cooper Cronk and his former teammate Ryley Jacks are this Sunday’s head-to-head battle. Cronk lines up as captain of the Roosters and will be sure to try and lead from the front. The 35-year-old has had seven try assists, five line-break assists and two tries this year. Cronk will be hoping he can raise the bat this weekend as he sits firm on 99 tries. We know Cronk for his professionalism and control, so if he can keep Gold Coast on the back foot with his kicking game I can see the Roosters running riot.
Ryley Jacks will be hoping to get one up on his old mentor as he steers the Titans around on Sunday. The 27-year-old has only played 7 games this year but has been commendable in those appearances, averaging 42 metres a game with the ball and an 85 per cent tackle efficiency. Jacks needs to get busy early and take control of the side, giving young gun Brian Kelly some early ball and shoot to the aerial target Anthony Don. He needs a big game for the Titans to be any chance against the Roosters.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: August 4, 2019
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Kick-off: 2pm AEST
Referee: Peter Gough & Liam Kennedy
WHO WILL WIN?
It is very hard not to go past the Roosters in this one, but with a depleted pack and a young man at the hooking position it may be closer than form would tell.
Roosters by eight.
