Trent Robinson will be demanding an immediate response from his Roosters side as they prepare to face the Warriors at Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Touted as premiership favourites this season, the Roosters dished up a terrible performance against the Dolphins last week, going down 28-18 at Suncorp.
The Roosters made several inexcusable errors (13 in total, the most out of any side in R1) and were clunky in attack as they let slip of an early lead to concede 28 points against the NRL’s newest team.
Back home at Allianz, the Roosters need to make a statement against a Warriors team who have lost their last 12 games in Australia dating back to April 2022.
Joey Manu returning from injury is a big boost for the Roosters, but they have lost Matt Lodge, with Fletcher Baker coming in to start at prop.
The Warriors were solid in their 20-12 opening round win over the Knights, although it wasn’t really a convincing win at home.
Newcastle dominated large chunks of the game and a better side surely would have put the Warriors to the sword, but to the Kiwi club’s credit, their goal-line defence was outstanding and the catalyst for their win.
The Warriors should be more competitive this season given they get to play half of their games at home, but their form in Australia remains a concern.
As mentioned, they’ve lost 12 straight in Australia and also their last five in a row against the Roosters. With Manu back, expect the Roosters to get more of a roll on and if they can keep the errors down, they should be running out comfortable winners
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Brandon Smith 10. Fletcher Baker 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Drew Hutchison 16. Naufahu Whyte 17. Terrell May 18. Corey Allan 19. Ben Thomas 20. Sandon Smith 21. Siua Wong 22. Elie El Zakhem
Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Edward Kosi 3. Brayden Wiliame 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Ale 18. Viliami Vailea 20. Freddy Lussick 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Taine Tuaupiki 23. Bayley
- Roosters have won the last five meetings between the teams
- Warriors have lost their last 12 games in Australia
- Prediction. Roosters here by about 12 points.
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