Preview: Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters
The Tigers will be up against it on Sunday as they face the Roosters, a team who they currently have an 8 game losing streak against.
Last Time Out
The Tigers had a hard fought loss to the Dragons. A couple of momentary lapses in defence in the first half cost them dearly as returning Dragons skipper Gareth Widdop bagged a double. A stronger 2nd half performance saw them make an improvement in defence and a 77th minute try set up a thrilling finish. The damage had been done in the first 40 though and the Tigers went down 16-12.
The Roosters held on for a narrow 2 point victory against the Broncos. A two try effort from newly appointed NSW captain Boyd Cordner won them the game in what was a brilliant effort to back-up. The game was incredibly even for most of the contest with neither side giving an inch. The Roosters took a 12-6 lead into half-time and it took until the 70th minute and Cordner’s 2nd try for that scoreline to change. What followed was a manic end to the game as the Broncos scored twice in the final 5 to give Kahu a shot at goal to level the game which he missed. The Roosters just coming away with the win.
Key Battle
The forward battle. Whilst the line-up could change and no coach is silly enough to go into battle without having a plan behind it, the Roosters look set to run out to the field with only 1 recognized prop on the interchange. If the Tigers are to have any hope of winning this game and get their outside backs to put points on, they have to take advantage of this.
The proper bench management of their forwards and the efforts of Woods, Seumanufagai and Grant can get them over the Roosters. If the outmatched halves pairing of Tui Lolohea and Jack Littlejohn are to make anything happen or if Tedesco gets any chance to work his magic, the forwards need to step up so they can limit the influence of Luke Keary and Mitchell Pearce.
For the Roosters they just need to trust in the ability of their props like Napa to play big minutes and utilize a smaller but very mobile pack to tear through the Tigers.
Prediction
It’s incredibly difficult to foresee anything but a Roosters win and a big one at that. Not since 2011 have the Tigers conceded less than 30 points in a game against the Roosters. With the return of Mitchell Pearce and a full strength line-up at their disposal, the Roosters should be cementing their place in the Top 4. Roosters by 20+
Squads
Wests Tigers
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Michael Chee Kam
4. Moses Suli
5. Kevin Naiqama
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Jack Littlejohn
8. Aaron Woods ©
9. Matt McIlwrick
10. Ava Seumanufagai
11. Sauaso Sue
12. Kyle Lovett
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Tim Grant
15. JJ Felise
16. Esan Marsters
17. Jacob Liddle
Reserves:
18. Matt Eisenhuth
19. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak
20. Jordan Rankin
21. Joel Edwards
Sydney Roosters
1. Michael Gordon
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Joseph Manu
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Luke Keary
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Jake Friend ©
10. Dylan Napa
11. Boyd Cordner ©
12. Mitchell Aubusson
13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
Interchange:
14. Isaac Liu
15. Aidan Guerra
16. Ryan Matterson
17. Connor Watson
Reserves:
18. Zane Tetevano
19. Kane Evans
20. Chris Smith
22. Mitch Cornish
