TEAMS: QRL U17 Cyril Connell Cup - 2024 Round 7
5 mins ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Sydney rivals battle it out on Sunday afternoon.
Putting aside weeks of inconsistent showings, the Bulldogs found their bite last Sunday as they wreaked havoc upon the Tigers in a 36-4 carve-up. Set to take on another side positioned down the bottom of the NRL ladder, Canterbury will be wary of the Roosters as they look to produce consecutive wins for the first time since the opening rounds. As with last week, the Bulldogs will be without the services of fullback William Hopoate on religious grounds, but following a season best effort from Sam Perrett, coach Des Hasler will head into the clash with optimism. Based on recent results, the Bulldogs face a tough proposition against the Roosters, having managed just one win from the past seven clashes, including a disappointing showing to bow out in the Semi Finals last season.
While the Roosters have lifted themselves off the bottom of the premiership ladder courtesy of experienced players making successful returns, last Monday night's loss to the Titans has thrown their finals aspirations into serious question. Heading into the Round 11 encounter with a record of two wins and eight losses, coach Trent Robinson faces the biggest test of his professional career to continue the legacy he has built during his tenure at the club. With Sio Siua Taukeiaho making a successful return during the loss to the Titans, the Roosters have named the same squad that went down 26-6, however Shaun Kenny-Dowall may be a late inclusion pending a fitness test. At 23-years-old, Boyd Cordner will play his 100th game for the Roosters on Sunday, marking another milestone in a career filled with representative appearances and premierships.
Last meeting: Semi Finals 2015 - Roosters 38 Bulldogs 12
Who to watch: Back to his destructive best in the win over Wests Tigers, Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds will be looking for a big game on Sunday to ensure he remains in the frame for an Origin recall. Running for over 100 metres, as well as chiming in with a try and an assist, the 27-year-old playmaker will be integral to the Bulldogs hopes as they look to find consistency heading into the middle third of 2016.
With speculation mounting that Mitchell Pearce will be selected for NSW in spite of lack of game time, the Roosters halfback will need to deliver on Sunday if those calls are to be validated. Coming up with decent performances against weaker opponents, Pearce will face his toughest challenge yet against a Bulldogs side brimming with pace and power. With Trent Robinson able to call upon almost all of his first choice squad, the Roosters will have few excuses if they come up with their ninth loss of the season.
The favourite: Having put the Tigers to the sword last week, the Bulldogs are expected to dine out on Sunday.
My tip: While the Roosters will be hoping for an improved showing, having to back up from Monday night football should give the Bulldogs an advantage too big to reign in. Bulldogs by 16.
1. Sam Perrett 2. Curtis Rona 3. Josh Morris 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Tyrone Phillips 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Greg Eastwood 13. David Klemmer
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Tim Browne 17. Craig Garvey
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mitchell Aubusson 12. Aidan Guerra 4. Blake Ferguson 16. Ryan Matterson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Sam Moa 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 14. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 19. Eloni Vunakece 15. Kane Evans 18. Connor Watson 17. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Referees: Jared Maxwell, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis, Chris Butler; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Bryan Norrie, Steve Chiddy