4:05 pm SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1st 2024 ALLIANZ STADIUM, SYDNEY
The Roosters’ Final Push for a Home Final: Key Injuries and Defensive Challenges
There may be ten ladder spots between these two sides, but the difference in intent and desperation will be much smaller come Sunday evening.
The Roosters built on Canberra’s impressive victory over the Panthers last week to secure a top-two spot on the ladder with just two rounds remaining. However, with the Sharks and Panthers level on points, they’re well aware that any misstep in the coming weeks could cost them a home final. While the Chooks have maintained their strong attacking form all season, questions still linger about their defensive capabilities as they head into the finals. Heading into this game against the side who just broke down the notorious Penrith defensive system, Trent Robinson will put a challenge out to his players to limit this Raiders side to two tries or less.
Injuries and Squad Changes: Key Absences for the Roosters
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be sidelined until week two of the finals after accepting a three-match ban for a high tackle, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will also miss this game due to the re-aggravation of a previous neck injury. In their places, Naufahu Whyte comes onto the bench, with Michael Jennings coming into the centres.
Roosters.
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins , 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher, 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May, 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Robert Toia, 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Raiders’ Ambush Attempt: Aiming for Back-to-Back Upsets
The Raiders claimed the massive scalp last week by upsetting the Panthers and coach Ricky Stuart will be aiming to plot another ambush against the Roosters.
Canberra outlasted Penrith to claim their 22-18 win in captain Elliott Whitehead’s farewell home game, but now they are not playing on emotion, the Raiders will need to reset in order to achieve another upset.
From the Raiders’ perspective, they are the lowest-ranked team still with a mathematical chance of making the finals, but they’ll need several other results to fall in their favor, and their -131 points differential only adds to the challenge. Despite this, Ricky Stuart’s squad will focus on controlling what they can, starting with a trip to Allianz Stadium, where they aim to defeat the Roosters for the second consecutive year.
Personal Favourite: Reflecting on the Raiders’ Impressive Performance
That game against the Panthers last week was hands down my favorite Raiders match ever. GIO Stadium was buzzing with energy from the start, which was impressive given the previous week’s heavy loss to the Cowboys and the high caliber of the Panthers.
The Raiders really got up for that game – and now the test for this young side will be whether they can get up and do it again. They need a win to keep their faint finals hopes alive – and ideally need that win to be a decent margin to aid their points differential. That would seem extremely unlikely. But then again so did their win last week.
Raiders
1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies , 14. Danny Levi 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Ata Mariota, 17. Simi Sasagi , 18. Jed Stuart 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. Adam Cook 22. Trey Mooney
Emergency Services Match: Celebrating the Heroes
This game marks the inaugural Emergency Services Match, set to become an annual event organized by the Roosters and the NSW Government. The day will kick off with a triple-header, starting with a match between the NSW Police and the Australian Firefighters, followed by the Roosters facing off against the Raiders in both the NRLW and NRL games. Enjoy the footy!
Referee. Todd Smith ,Touch Judges, David Munro, Chris Sutton ,Bunker, Wyatt Raymond
Head-to-Head Statistics and Key Players
The Roosters have won all 10 of their matches against teams outside the top eight.
The Raiders have secured only three wins from 10 away games this season.
Roosters winger Dominic Young has crossed for 11 tries in his last seven games at Allianz Stadium.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored five tries in his last six games.
Roosters centre Joseph Manu has notched seven tries in his last five games against the Raiders.
Prediction.
The Raiders stunned the rugby league world with an unexpected victory over the Panthers last week, while the Roosters ran the Titans ragged under the Gold Coast sun. The Raiders are still in with a shot at the Top 8, while the Roosters need to keep winning to stay in second position. Can the Raiders produce another giant killing performance? Not against the Roosters.
Comments