Match Centre

Round 23: Roosters v Wests Tigers preview

The eighth placed Roosters are in both a position of opportunity and one that is precarious. They are just a win ahead of the 9th placed Raiders, but have a vastly better points differential, making them essentially two wins clear.

But the 3 sides above them all have difficult tasks this week: Souths face the first placed Panthers; Brisbane face the always impressive Storm and the erratic Eels take on a resurgent Bulldogs outfit hungry to return to the winners circle.

Meanwhile the Roosters will take on the last placed Wests Tigers.

The Tricolours are one of just 5 teams who have yet to concede 400 points this season, a testament to their defence given their ladder position, while the Tigers are the second worst attacking side.

The Eastern Suburbs team is one of 5 sides to have surpassed 500 points scored for the year, while the Tigers have the second worst attack, having scored 205 points less than the Roosters in 2022 alone.

The lopsided stats continue when you look at the head-to-head figures. The Roosters have won 19 of their last 21 games against the Tigers, dating back to 2010. The Roosters average a win by almost 18 points across this period.

The Roosters have scored 7 or more tries in a game against the Tigers 9 times in those last 21 games. By contrast, the Tigers have been kept to 2 tries or less in 10 of those games.

Brutal.

And there's nothing to suggest that this game won't continue that formline. The Roosters have now won 5 straight, the last 4 of those wins coming off the back of very good defence.

They've scored 100 points more than they've let in since the bye and would be the form side of the competition.

While the Roosters have won 5 games in the last 5 weeks, the Tigers last 5 wins are spread across 2 seasons and a period of 25 games.

Defensively they've been reasonably improved, given the strength of their opponents, but their attack still lacks direction, cohesion and structure. 

Roosters have made no changes to their successful side from last week.

The Wests Tigers though will have Ken Maumalo back on the wing, pushing Starford To'a into the centres and James Roberts out of the 17. Alex Seyfarth will also come into the 17, replacing Tyrone Peachey on the bench.

Last meeting: Round 2 2021 - Wests Tigers 6 Roosters 40

Who to watch: Daniel Tupou has one thing against Wests Tigers - field days. In his 12 games against the Tigers he's had 11 wins and has scored 16 tries. With the Tigers running out their third choice halfback and have a backline that has had several reshuffles, it won't be a surprise if Tupou exploits the lack of cohesion in his opposition and gets himself across the tryline, possibly even a few times.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has won 18 of 20 games against the Tigers and will be barnstorming his way through the Tigers middle, which has shown all year to be both very solid and very weak several times, every week. Expect him to lead the pack through the middle and get his side on the front foot early.

For the Tigers, Adam Doueihi is the genuine spark in the sides attack and is capable of throwing different options at the opposition in attack. Daine Laurie has also been very solid in recent weeks and looks to be more comfortable linking with Doueihi.

The favourite: Roosters, comfortably.

My tip: Roosters to keep the Tigers attack at bay early and then punch mortar sized holes through their defences before racking up a cricket score in the second half. Roosters by 30.