Round 26: Roosters v Wests Tigers preview
Will the pride of the Tigers be enough to halt the Roosters call to the finals?
With the Roosters operating in the do-or-die territory, they have sprung a shock inclusion into a team that has found recent form but will be without their star and captain.
The Wests Tigers looking at making it back-to-back wooden spoons, have committed to going out with some pride after some gutsy losses and were rewarded with one of the more dramatic ends to an NRL game this season last round.
It's been three wins in a row for the Tricolours, and coach Trent Robinson said the consistency for his backs has helped the team get to within a whiff of finals footy. But with the loss of star and captain James Tedesco to concussion protocols, Robinson has made a shock inclusion to the run-on side, with Sam Walker making his first NRL run-on appearance as half-back since Round 7. Joseph Manu will take the No. 1 jersey for the Saturday night clash, with Corey Allan set for his 10th Roosters appearance, listed in the centres.
Wests Tigers have not been far from controversy or drama this year, and the heart-stopping ending of their Round 25 game against the Dolphins was no different. Captain Api Koroisau slotted a 30m penalty from out wide to break a ten-game losing streak and give his side the chance to sing their song in the sheds. Benji Marshall fronted the media conference at the end of the game and said it felt the team had been competing every week of late, and earned something they deserved.
The head-to-head ledger between the two teams has been a reasonably lopsided affair, and it's a trend that doesn't look to change this Saturday. Being almost a year since they last met, the history books show it was a thumping, with the Roosters winning by 66 points. And since 2010, The Roosters have won 20 of the 22 clashes, scoring an average of over 30 points against the Tigers.
Trent Robinson's team has worked itself into a corner at the back end of this season, but they are bristling with confidence, and even though this is a must-win, the playing group feel they are up to the challenge ahead - winger Daniel Tupou says he feels the team has connected. It's all too familiar territory for the red white and blue, who were in a similar situation of average form in 2022. It saw an eight-game winning streak to finish that year and gave their fans a dream, only to be dashed in the first week of the finals. This year could be different...
Wests may have conceded yet another year to be last, but have shown fight in their previous few games and still want to play for some pride - which can bring some worry to the Roosters if they go into this game without any respect.
With James Tedesco out, Joseph Manu will slip into a familiar role as fullback, and he has shown he can apply his skill set. The Roosters will be bolstered up front with the return of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from an acute neck pain niggle. Luke Brooks was always doubtful about recovering from his calf injury and will remain sidelined for this clash with Will Smith to run on in the halves. HIA protocols will also affect the Wests Tigers, with Hooker Jake Simpkin having to sit this round out.
Last meeting: Round 23 2022 - Roosters 72 Wests Tigers 6
Who to watch: Lindsay Collins has been flying since the Origin series, and Trent Robinson was full of praise for the talented forward having to lift in the absence of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves last round. With JWH's return, we could see a great battle between the two teams' front rows and undoubtedly a game of ascendancy with David Klemmer and Stefano Utoikamanu being involved.
Sam Walker can bring an X factor to the Roosters and will be one to watch as Trent Robinson is giving the young halfback a chance to take the Roosters into the finals even though Drew Hutchison has been playing some sound footy to steady the Rooster's ship in the business end of the season.
That X-factor exists on the Wests Tigers' side of the fence in Api Koroisau, whose captain's knock and finish to the last round has given his team hope and maybe the rumblings of an upset, if only a murmur.
Trent Robinson has called the recent form of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii outstanding on all fronts, from his kicking, ball carrying and defence. He feels the young winger has cleared his head of outside distractions and will only get better. With the Rooster's outside backs all experiencing good form, it will be a challenge for Jaherm Bula but one he will not shy away from.
Favourite: The Roosters are red hot favourites, and rightfully so, with current form and history to back up any argument.
My tip: Pride won't be enough for Wests Tigers to stop a Roosters outfit who are hitting their straps and have a chance to right the wrongs of last season's campaign. The Boys from Bondi by 24.
