SUNDAY MAY 12th 2024 ALLIANZ STADIUM SYDNEY
Warriors’ Struggles and Roosters’ Rampage: NRL Match Preview
Despite starting the season as one of the top contenders for the premiership, the Warriors have encountered a major setback over the past month. Their last victory dates back to Round 5 against the Rabbitohs.
As last year’s preliminary finalists, they currently sit in 14th place with three wins, five losses, and a draw. The dynamic and high-scoring attack that dazzled the NRL last season appears to have waned, leaving them struggling to find their rhythm.
Roosters’ Dominance and Warriors’ Woes
This should have been one of the games of the year, but the Warriors have gone from premiership threats to complete jokes in the past few weeks, losing to the Dragons, Titans and Knights.
Some of the experts were picking the Warriors at the start of the season to win the competition, or at least top four. I think they will finish in the bottom eight, around about 14th.
In stark contrast, the Roosters have been on a rampage in the last couple of weeks, scoring 60 points against the Dragons on ANZAC Day and following it up with another 40 to overpower the Broncos in an emphatic victory at Suncorp Stadium.
Key Players and Expected Returns
The last time the Roosters achieved such a scoring spree, surpassing 100 points in successive games, was back in 2022. They first defeated the Cowboys 32-18 in Round 22 before obliterating the Wests Tigers with a massive 72-6 win in Round 23. Riding the momentum, they continued their winning streak with an 18-14 victory over the Storm in Round 24, eventually culminating in an eight-game winning streak that propelled them into the 2022 finals series.
With the anticipated returns of Brandon Smith (recovering from a calf injury), Daniel Tupou (returning from a knee injury), Victor Radley (coming back from a hamstring issue), and Spencer Leniu (returning from suspension), the Roosters are poised to have even more firepower. They aim to continue their dominant form against a Warriors team struggling with both confidence and scoring.
Roosters 1
James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley, 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Terrell May , 18. Sandon Smith 19. Egan Butcher 20. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Siua Wong 22. Fetalaiga Pauga
Warriors’ Line-up Changes
A reshuffling of the forward pack has been necessitated by a calf injury to second-rower Kurt Capewell. Mitch Barnett transitions to the back row, with Bunty Afoa stepping into the starting lineup in the front row. Additionally, middle forward Jazz Tevaga makes his return from a hamstring injury and is named on the bench. Hooker Freddy Lussick, who served a suspension picked up in reserve grade, is once again available and could potentially be included in the 17 before kick-off.
Roosters vs. Warriors Line-ups
I hear a whisper that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may have picked up a ham string injury at training and is in doubt.
Warriors.
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Adam Pompey 18. Jacob Laban 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Zyon Maiu’u 22. Edward Kosi 23. Freddy Lussick
Referee. Kasey Badger, Touch Judges. Tyson Brough, Drew Oultram, Bunker. Adam Gee
Key Stats and Milestones
Roosters center Joseph Manu has been prolific, scoring five tries in his last four games at Allianz Stadium.
The Warriors have faced tough times against the Roosters, losing their last seven encounters.
Roosters halfback Sam Walker has been remarkably accurate, successfully kicking 18 consecutive goals at Allianz Stadium.
Despite recent struggles, the Warriors have shown prowess in Sydney venues, winning four of their last five games.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to achieve a significant milestone, becoming the fourth Roosters player to reach 300 games for the club.
Prediction.
I will not be watching this game with the blind Badger as referee. She is terrible and the WEAK NRL should be ashamed to put her in this position. At best, she is a club grade ref. I watch sport for enjoyment and there is none from this so called official. I am sure the NRL don’t care if I watch the game or not, they just want to try and promote women in the sport, which I am in favour of the same, but the women must be capable and trained to a certain standard. This women does not reach this standard. Have a look at the Bulldogs/Tigers game on May 4th to see how bad this ref is.
And the winner is Roosters, Roosters, Roosters.
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