Warriors vs Roosters
6:00pm Friday March 21st Go Media Stadium Auckland
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey , 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark, 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima, 18. Jacob Laban , 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Rocco Berry
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia, 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson , 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley , 14. Zach Dockar-Clay, 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Lindsay Collins , 18. Hugo Savala 19. Taylor Losalu, 20. Billy Smith 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Ethan Roberts
Referee. Ashley Klein ,Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Bunker, Liam Kennedy
The Roosters receive a significant boost with the return of prop Lindsay Collins (recovered from illness), Spencer Leniu (back from suspension), and lock Victor Radley (cleared from concussion protocols). Meanwhile, Makahesi Makatoa and Taylor Losalu have been moved to the reserves, with Hugo Savala named as the 18th man. Young forward Salesi Foketi failed in his attempt to have his high tackle charge downgraded on Tuesday night and has been suspended for two games, meaning the Roosters will need to find a new bench player.
Based on their performances in the opening round, both teams looked like they could be in for a tough season. However, their efforts in Round 2 turned those expectations upside down. The Warriors were dominant at home, overwhelming the Sea Eagles and looking like their best selves again. Meanwhile, the Roosters went toe-to-toe with the Panthers, matching them try for try before gaining the upper hand in the second half and holding on for a hard-fought win. The Warriors should have the edge at home, but their inconsistency in stringing together back-to-back strong performances remains a concern. On the other hand, the Roosters poured a lot of energy into beating the Panthers, and it will be interesting to see how that affects them in this match.
I find it difficult to follow the Warriors, one week brilliant, next week terrible. I am going to go with the Roosters who know how to fight, and with the muscle up front, coupled with the speed out the back I think the Warriors will crumble as soon as they get behind.
- The Warriors have not beaten the Roosters at Go Media Stadium since 2017.
- The Roosters have won their past eight games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have won only two of their past seven Friday night games.
- Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored 21 tries in his last 20 games.
- Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will play his 50th game for the Warriors.
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys
8:00 pm Friday March 21st Suncorp Stadium Brisbane
Broncos. 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski , 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington , 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison , 17. Brendan Piakura, 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Kotoni Staggs 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt , 22. Jock Madden
Star centre Kotoni Staggs has been named among the reserves as he nears a return from the quad injury that kept him out of the first two rounds. If he is cleared to play, Gehamat Shibasaki is the most likely to make way.
One tactical approach worth considering is starting Xavier Willison alongside Payne Haas, then bringing in Patrick Carrigan and Kobe Hetherington later in the game. The idea is to use the bigger bodies early on to gain control in the first 20 minutes, then introduce Carrigan and Hetherington when fatigue starts to set in, allowing them to make a greater impact and keep the momentum going.
Cowboys. 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi , 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo, 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter, 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai, 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess , 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Thomas Mikaele , 21. Karl Lawton 22. Jaxson Paulo
Referee. Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Belinda Sharpe, Bunker Matt Noyen
The Cowboys receive a major boost amid their injury struggles with Jason Taumalolo returning to the starting lineup at prop after recovering from a Lisfranc injury. Maroons back-rower Jeremiah Nanai also rejoins the team after spending last week in the Queensland Cup. In addition, experienced playmaker Jake Clifford will wear the No.7 jersey for his first game of the 2025 season, having endured a disrupted pre-season due to hernia surgery. Meanwhile, young half Thomas Duffy has been named in the reserves.
With Braidon Burns sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Robert Derby gets the nod on the wing, marking his first NRL appearance since mid-2023. Sam McIntyre, who started last week, moves to the bench, while Karl Lawton and Harrison Edwards have been omitted from the squad.
The Broncos will be disappointed with their lackluster performance against the Raiders last week, where they were outmuscled and out-enthused. Meanwhile, the Cowboys continued their inconsistent form with a loss to the Sharks. This match presents the perfect chance for Brisbane to put last week’s defeat behind them and reaffirm their status as premiership contenders. As for the Cowboys, they face an uphill battle and must improve their defensive efforts at Suncorp Stadium to avoid a blowout.
- The Broncos have won their past four games against the Cowboys.
- The Cowboys have won four of their past five games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds requires 11 points to move to third on the all-time NRL pointscorers list.
- The Cowboys have conceded 78 points in their opening two games.
- Broncos winger Jesse Arthars has scored five tries in his past three games.
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