Vale: Terry Hill
17 hours ago | National Rugby League
Tigers v Roosters preview
Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters
ANZ Stadium - Friday 7:35pm 
Toothless Tigers look for respect, Roosters aim for top 2.
Friday night football is back at ANZ Stadium as the struggling Wests Tigers host the in form Sydney Roosters. The Tigers have had a treacherous 2015 season and that continued on Sunday with a 42-16 drubbing at the hands of the Powerhouse Brisbane Broncos. Jason Taylor hasn't been able to get much out of his squad this year for whatever reason. Despite having a pair of young, talented halves, a big forward pack capable of running over opposition defence's and a NSW representative hooker in Robbie Farah (although Farah has only appeared in 11 games this year and has not been named for Friday's clash), the Tigers find themselves glued to the bottom of the ladder. Their play has been plagued by missed tackles and lop sides penalty counts (the Tigers have been outscored 19-7 in penalties over the last two games, meaning they have had to make a combined 112 extra tackles than their opponents in the last fortnight). There last place position is a fair indication of the way they have performed. It wont get any easier this week as they play another team full of confidence and good form in the Roosters.
Only two changes for the Tigers, David Nofoaluma replaces youngster Nathan Milone in the centres and Jack Buchanan moves onto the bench at the expense of the disappointing Ava Seumanufagai. Still no Farah for the Tigers.
The Roosters have really started to hit their straps, they are doing it at the right time of the year as well. They are fresh off a 24-0 shut out of the Warriors and did this without star outside back Shaun Kenny-Dowall and NSW Backrower Boyd Cordner. The Rooster's slick play and hard hitting defence has been a highlight of their play over the past month. They are just as good at stopping tries as scoring them. Their attack has also been on song, having been given a shot in the arm in recent weeks with the return of Blake Ferguson at centre. Ferguson was at his tantalizing best on Sunday afternoon by running for 210 metres, 7 tackle breaks, 3 line breaks and one try. He made poor old Solomon Kata look like a park footballer, the Tigers outside men will need to be at their defensive best on Friday or they might be in for the same treatment.
The Roosters have just the one change with Boyd Cordner coming back into the starting side after being rested last week and this sees Isaac Liu drop back to the bench and boom youngster Jackson Hastings moving out to 18th man.
Last Meeting: Sydney Roosters 36 Wests Tigers 4 at Allianz Stadium, Round 9, 2015.
If you're a Tigers fan maybe don't read this section... The Roosters have an utter dominance over the Tigers in the most recent clashes between these two. They have won the last 6 games against the Tigers and 10 out of the last 11 stretching back to 2010, with the Tigers only winning two matches against the Roosters since 2009. In those 6 victories the Tigers have conceded a phenomenal 256 points against the tri colours at an average of 42 points a game.
Not only are the Tigers fighting poor form, they are fighting some what of a hoodoo.
Who To Watch: For the home side the Tigers they need their forwards to set the tone for the match and give their backs a platform to work from. In last week's game against the Broncos the Tigers were outgained by 255 metres. Further more, only one tigers forward made over 100 metres (Keith Galloway with 116 metres) and that was from the bench, meanwhile the Broncos had 4 forwards with over 100 metres (Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett and Corey Parker).
The Tigers need so much more from their forwards and this starts with their leader Aaron Woods. Woods had a very good origin series (apart from game three, where every NSW player played poorly). However he hasn't translated that into club form and has struggled in recent weeks. The Tigers need him to dent back the defensive line and create offloads like he was doing earlier in the season. He has such great size and mobility he can be a real asset to the Tigers attack. His defence will also need to be top notch on Friday coming up against the huge forward pack of the Roosters, his battle with Jared Waera Hargraves leaves footy fans all over the country foaming at the mouth.
For the Roosters, keep any eye on Jake Friend at hooker. Friend has been brilliant for the Tri colours, having missed the early part of the season due to injury. He takes the pressure off chief playmakers Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney with smart passing, dummy half running that creates holes and keeps the defence on their toes. He has also recently added another string to his bow by improving his kicking game (both short and long) this season and he is just another player that opposition defence's have to worry about come game day. Not to mention his jarring defence which has improved substantially since the arrival of Trent Robinson. If the Roosters win on Friday, Friend will be involved along the way in some capacity.
The Favourite: This is a David Vs Goliath battle and everyone is putting their money on Goliath (Sydney Roosters) in this clash. Hard to go against the Roosters considering their form and playing squad.
My Tip: No chances of an upset unfortunately Tigers fans. The Roosters are playing some great football and look like they are getting better each week. The Tigers need to win the battle in the forwards. If Farah plays it gives them an enhanced chance, but think they won't be able to compete for 80 minutes.
Roosters by 10.
1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. David Nofoaluma 4. Tim Simona 5. Pat Richards 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Dene Halatau 10. Sauaso Sue 11. Kyle Lovett 12. Chris Lawrence 13. Martin Taupau
Interchange: 14. Manaia Cherrington 15. Keith Galloway 16. Jack Buchanan 17. Curtis Sironen 18. Brenden Santi
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Brendan Elliott 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Aidan Guerra
Interchange: 14. Sam Moa 15. Isaac Liu 16. Kane Evans 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Jackson Hastings
Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gavin Morris; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner, Kasey Badger; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Ben Galea;