Round 2: Sea Eagles v Roosters preview
Kelly previews Sunday afternoon's battle between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters.
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters have returned to Australia as impressive round one winners in their historic NRL Double Header matches at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
These ground-breaking games will help to set the scene for another great clash between these two rivals.
The Sea Eagles secured a 36-24 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Las Vegas. In a game that saw three club debutants, Jaxson Paulo, Luke Brooks, and Nathan Brown, the team from the Northern Beaches went into the sheds with a slight lead before falling behind to a fast start from the Rabbitohs in the second half. Despite playing through an ankle injury, Reuben Garrick had a stellar performance. He scored a try, kicked six from six conversions, and earned an impressive 99 SuperCoach points.
The two teams were evenly matched statistically; however, the Manly side was able to capitalise on their opportunities to secure the win. Unfortunately, the victory came at a cost as Jason Saab left the field with a hamstring injury, likely sidelining him for a number of weeks.
Although the Sea Eagles will be missing Jason Saab, Seibold had two potential replacements: Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega and Tommy Talau. Talau has had a solid pre-season, impressing the coaching staff and as a result has scored himself the wing spot in this game. Apart from this one change, the Manly side will run out with the same squad that played in Round 1.
On the Roosters' front, they opened their 2024 campaign with a 20-10 victory over the Brisbane Broncos, also at Allegiant Stadium. James Tedesco and Joey Manu showcased their attacking prowess, with Manu delivering a spectacular intercept try and a mesmerising pass to set up Junior Pauga for a stunning try. Tedesco's exceptional performance included over 190 meters, nine tackle busts, two offloads, one linebreak, one try assist, and flawless tackle efficiency.
The victory in Las Vegas was marred by Spencer Leniu facing an extended stint on the sideline after being charged for an on-field racial slur towards Ezra Mam. As a result of Leniu's suspension and players returning from injury, Robinson will be bringing Jared Waerea-Hargraves straight into the starting line-up. Dominic Young will make his club debut replacing Pauga on the wing, with the Round 1 try scorer being moved to the bench.
In their two meetings in the 2023 season, each team tasted victory, and in their past 10 games, the Roosters have taken the W on 7 occasions. In saying that, the Roosters do not have a great history against Manly when they've had to cross the Bridge, having won only 12 of their 50 games at Brookvale.
Last meeting: Round 23 2023 - Roosters 26 Sea Eagles 16
Who to watch: One player to keep a close eye on for the Sydney Roosters in this round is Terrell May. The 24-year-old forward showcased his prowess in both attack and defence during Round 1 against the Broncos. Coming off the bench, May had a stellar performance, playing 54 minutes and covering over 160 metres, with 80 post-contact. He broke three tackles and made a solid 28 tackles, missing only one. With key players like Spencer Leniu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves serving lengthy bans, May has a golden opportunity to solidify his place in the Roosters' forward pack.
A player to watch for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles is Ben Trbojevic. After earning a starting spot in the second row towards the end of the 2023 season, 'Burbo' has carried this momentum into 2024. In a standout performance against the Rabbitohs, he scored a crucial try in the 53rd minute, propelling Manly back into the lead and inspiring the team to secure a convincing victory. Trbojevic made a significant impact with 10 hit-ups, breaking four tackles, and maintaining an 88% tackle efficiency from 35 tackles. The 22-year-old's impressive contributions have not gone unnoticed, as the Sea Eagles recently extended his contract through the end of the 2027 season, making him a key asset to watch in the Roosters showdown.
Favourite: The Tricolours have the backing of the bookmakers.
My tip: Based on the history between these two it would appear that the Roosters may have the upper hand. However, with Manly's spectacular winning record over the Tricolours at Brookvale, this game will come down to who can capitalise on their opportunities. Because this is the first home game for the Manly side, and they were able to capitalise on more opportunities than the Roosters in Round 1, my tip is Manly by 8.
