Round 2: Wests Tigers v Roosters preview
Timid Tigers host red-hot Roosters in Sunday football
The Wests Tigers will be eyeing the first major upset of 2021 when they host the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Coming into the new season with a host of new faces and the longest finals drought of any team in the NRL, the Wests Tigers left much to be desired with their opening round performance.
Unable to go the distance after heading to the sheds on level terms during last Sunday's 30-12 loss to the Raiders, coach Michael Maguire will be stressing the importance of defence given the blistering attack shown by their opponents during the opening round.
Returning to Campbelltown Stadium for the first time since Round 6 last year, a poor record over the past four years has seen the side manage a 33 per cent success rate from their last 12 appearances at the venue.
Naming Adam Doueihi in the number six jersey after missing last week due to a suspension carrying over from last season, former skipper Moses Mbye will revert to the bench at the expense of Russell Packer. Luke Brooks is set to play his 150th match for the club.
Sitting atop the premiership ladder after running rampant in the opening round, the Sydney Roosters will be readying themselves for fiercer opposition on Sunday afternoon.
Scoring nine tries in their 46-4 win over the Sea Eagles last Saturday, the foundation club will be hoping to continue a dominant record against the joint venture having won 12 out of 13 clashes during Trent Robinson's coaching tenure.
Holding a solid record at Campbelltown Stadium with four wins from their previous six visits, James Tedesco and Luke Keary will co-captain the side for the first time in response to Jake Friend suffering a head knock early in the second half last week.
Freddy Lussick has been named to replace Friend at hooker, while Drew Hutchison comes into the squad in place of Adam Keighran (dislocated wrist) to offer utility value off the bench. Fletcher Baker will make his NRL debut with Angus Crichton unavailable through suspension.
Last meeting: Round 15 2020 - Wests Tigers 16 Roosters 38
Who to watch: Making the move to Sydney after a career-worst season at Brisbane, front-rower Joe Ofahengaue will have a point to prove in his first home match for the joint venture. Producing vastly improved numbers in his club debut with 128 metres, 26 tackles and two offloads, the 25-year-old will have his sights set on recapturing the form that saw him represent Queensland and help Tonga upset the Kangaroos two years ago. Fronting up against an understrength, but nonetheless formidable, Roosters pack, a strong showing from Ofahengaue will go a long way in the Tigers' aspirations of pulling off an upset.
Making an emphatic statement with a hat-trick and eight tackle breaks in the first round of the competition, stand-in skipper James Tedesco will be hoping for more of the same in his Campbelltown homecoming. Growing up in Menangle, playing his junior football with Camden and attending high school at St Gregory's College, the 28-year-old fullback will return to Campbelltown Sports Stadium for the first time after departing the Tigers four years ago. Scoring seven tries in 13 appearances at the venue, the Roosters will be looking to Tedesco to stand up in the absence of several established leaders.
The favourite: Coming off their biggest ever opening round win, the Roosters have been heavily backed to account for the Tigers.
My tip: Even without several established stars unavailable through injury and suspension, the potency of the Roosters backline should be too much for the Tigers to overcome. Roosters by 14.
