Round 10: Roosters v Warriors preview
Flying Roosters welcome back troops against desperate Warriors
After recording back to back wins for the first time in 2024, Trent Robinson's Sydney Roosters will look for number three as they return to Allianz Stadium to play the Warriors in JWH's 300th club game for the Tri-Colours.
This season has been a strange one for a Roosters supporter, while the side has improved from where they were last year, it's arguable that they could have an improved record if things went their way in matches. But, they say you make your own luck in this game. They did that last week against an injury hit Brisbane, punishing them through the middle third led by a rejuvenated Connor Watson in the middle. James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Sam Walker were able to cause chaos on the edges while Angus Crichton continues his case for a new deal with a big form reversal.
Up against the Warriors, there is one key area they need to win. The middle third in the opening period. The Warriors have punished teams early in matches with their power game, so the pressure is on the high profile pack of the Roosters to match it. New Zealand's bench has been a high profile topic of discussion, while the Roosters power game of May and Whyte have been a significant point of difference in matches. On the edges, they will be okay as long as they contain Shaun Johnson and the light footed Charnze Nicol-Klokstad.
On the team front, Daniel Tupou, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley all returning from injury and Spencer Leniu back from suspension. Junior Pauga, Sitili Tupouniua, Egan Butcher and Siua Wong all make way after being part of last week's big win over the Broncos.
For the Warriors, this season has been one of starts and stops and handbrakes. They have really struggled to put together a consistent 80 minutes in all their matches, and those lapses in concentration have been where the games have been won and lost. Three straight losses in matches the pundits had them winning has serious alarm bells for Andrew Webster's men. They can put it together, we saw it last season, however, there seems to be something off with the Warriors and we are yet to put our fingers on it.
So how do they avoid four straight defeats for the first time since 2022… well they have to win the physical battle early. In all the Roosters losses this season, they have failed to dominate the middle third of the field early. If AFB, Mitch Barnett and Tohu Harris dominate the middle and cause all sorts of problems for the Roosters, then there is trouble brewing for the Bondi boys. Out wide, RTS will have a point to prove against his old club, in a big positional clash with Joey Suaalii while Rocco Berry will have his hands full with Joey Manu.
For the Wahs, Kurt Capewell is out. Mitch Barnett moves to the back row with Bunty Afoa coming into the run-on side in the front row, while middle forward Jazz Tevaga returns from a hamstring injury on the bench.
Last meeting: Round 9 2023 - Warriors 0 Roosters 14
Who to watch: Playing his first match since Las Vegas where he was guilty of a racial remark. Spencer Leniu will have a significant point to prove for letting down his side for his actions. He has trained the house down while being banned with Trent Robinson working him overtime. Watch for Leniu to match it against the Warriors big, explosive middles on Sunday.
Across the Tasman, the focus is on Te Maire Martin. Martin has been the choice half since Luke Metcalf's injury, excluding the big win over Souths, the attack hasn't had the same flow and charisma it did last season. Martin is generally a running half, and when he has a centre explosive as RTS on the edge, to see him throw a dummy and pass the buck on his lethal step has been frustrating. However, the trip to Sydney is a chance for the Wahs season to turn around and it starts with TMM.
Favourite: Given the records of the teams, the Roosters are favourites. They haven't been defeated by the Warriors since Round 9 2017 in Auckland, they haven't won in Sydney against the Roosters since 2018.
My tip: I see the Roosters getting up and winning well. They have a host of big names returning and the second big celebration of JWH this season, it's a party too good to ignore at Moore Park on Sunday. The Warriors will have to have a big response if they are a chance, and get quality bench production, something that has been lacking with the exception of Dylan Walker in 2024. Roosters by 12.
