Round 22: Roosters v Warriors preview
Warriors look to keep finals hopes alive against fast-improving Roosters
After three-straight wins against sides outside of the top eight, all eyes were on the Roosters last week when they travelled to the nation's capital to take on Canberra.
It was their first real test since their Round 15 defeat to Melbourne.
While it wasn't in the same convincing fashion as wins over the Titans and Knights, the 22-18 triumph was still just as impressive.
Trailing 12-6 midway through the first half, the Roosters made sure not to fall further behind before running in two quick tries to lead heading into the break.
They made the most of their opportunities and as a result pushed two points ahead of the third-placed Raiders.
And if Canberra can't overcome Melbourne on Saturday night, they could find themselves two wins behind the Roosters.
It would be a big boost for the Tricolours, meaning they would host a home final at the SCG, where they have lost just one game, instead of potentially travelling to Canberra.
This week hasn't been without distractions for them though, with contractual disputes surrounding their best player - James Tedesco.
But with back-to-back premierships the goal, you would assume that one of the league's most professional units will simply get on with the job.
They take on a desperate Warriors outfit buoyed by a 24-16 upset win over Manly.
A 46-12 hammering at the hands of the Raiders was meant to bring their erratic season to a close.
However, as we know, the men from across the ditch are the most unpredictable side in the competition.
While this may not always be desired it worked in their favour last week as they caught the Sea Eagles off guard to skip out to a 18-0 lead.
The Warriors have a tough road ahead if they are any hope of qualifying for the finals, with the Sharks, Rabbitohs and Raiders to come.
But if they can topple the Roosters their confidence will be soaring.
Last meeting: Round 10 2018 - Warriors 0 Roosters 32
The Roosters avenged an earlier-season defeat to the Warriors to win their last meeting 32-0 at Mt Smart Stadium in Round 10 last year.
Who to watch: The battle of the fullbacks alone is worth the price of admission. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's decision to leave the Roosters in 2015 left the Tricolours searching for a permanent number one. They found their man three years later in James Tedesco. Teddy, like RTS, possesses a dangerous running game. But it is his passing game that has really improved since leaving the Tigers, highlighted in his brilliant try-assist for winger Daniel Tupou last week.
Meanwhile, many have suggested that the Warriors wouldn't even be a hope of making the finals this year if they were without Tuivasa-Sheck. The skipper has always been known for his fancy footwork but his improvement since leaving the Eastern Suburbs have been in his work without the ball in hand. RTS has developed into a great leader at the club who consistently puts his best foot forward for the team.
The favourite: The Roosters are expected to roll on and claim their fourth-straight win.
My tip: The Roosters will win but the Warriors won't hand it to them like Newcastle and the Gold Coast did. It will be a close tussle before the home side run away with it late. Roosters by 16.
