Round 18: Roosters v Knights preview
Two sides firmly entrenched into the top eight battle at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night as the Roosters host the Knights.
The Sydney Roosters welcomed back Sonny Bill Williams last week in their 18-6 defeat of the Canberra Raiders in the nation's capital. The Tricolours' victory was their third in a row, and kept the pressure on the Parramatta Eels for third position on the NRL ladder, all but securing their top four spot.
Their started the season with back-to-back losses but since then they've had their own struggles with injury and suspension, yet won 12 of 15 games since the post-COVID resumption. They've welcomed back a number of key players from injury in recent weeks though, as well as the return of SBW all of which has helped them bounce back to form.
Head coach Trent Robinson has made just one change for this weekend with Jake Friend returning to the 17 at hooker, after missing last weekend having suffered a head knock against the Broncos a fortnight ago. Boyd Cordner has been named for the Roosters after having NRL approval to leave the 'COVID bubble' for personal reasons at the beginning of the week.
Newcastle bounced back to form last weekend when they scored a comprehensive 38-10 victory over the Cronulla Sharks. The victory was
important for the Knights as they locked up a finals spot for the first time since 2013, as well as putting behind them an embarrassing 36-6 defeat to the Warriors a week prior.
The Knights started the season strongly but have struggled to find consistency with performances, though last week they very impressive - albeit with an extra player. They come into the game sitting in 6th position with 10 wins through the season and having won four of their past five, although not all of these victories have been convincing.
Plenty of changes by Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien, with Kalyn Ponga, Mitch Barnett and Hymel Hunt all being rested for the contest which has seen Tex Hoy named at fullback, Edrick Lee on the wing and Herman Ese'ese at lock.
Last meeting: Round 18 2019 - Roosters 48 Knights 10
Who to watch: Roosters' five-eighth Luke Keary had a quiet game by usual standards last weekend with just one run which came at the very end of the game. Keary looked to be troubled by a rib injury last weekend, so it could be a key to why he didn't run the ball last week and could be something that Newcastle may look to target.
There has always been big wraps on Mason Lino since he was coming through the junior system of the Warriors. However, since debuting in 2015, Lino has struggled to make a mark in the NRL having only played 31 career matches - and only two this season. If the under-strength Knights are looking to make an impact on the Roosters, then Lino will have to take on a lot of the role that Ponga normally brings to the Knights attack.
The favourite: The Roosters have been installed as heavy favourites given their improved performances in recent weeks, their ladder position as well as the strengths of the line-ups.
My tip: There's no other option than to tip the Sydney Roosters for this one. The Roosters have had a better run of form and on paper should just get over the top of a weakened Knights side. The decision to rest players by coach Adam O'Brien for this one seems strange given the significance and what the likely outcome would be. Roosters by 22.
