Roosters v Knights NRLW preview

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Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Saturday 12:50pm at Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park / Gadigal

Baxter's back, alright!

After two false starts, the Sydney Roosters will be keen to get COVID-hit fullback and captain Corban Baxter onto the field and revving up the troops. Missing for the opening rounds of the NRLW season, she returns to lineup as the Tricolours look to turn around a miserable 0-2 record, with losses to both Queensland clubs in the first fortnight.

A third loss could spell disaster for the Roosters, so it's imperative they get their season back on track - or they'll be just about out of finals contention with two rounds left to play.

Newcastle meanwhile, also 0-2 after two rounds, have a job to do as well. Their opening fortnight, while producing no competition points, has been confidence-building for the new club that was largely expected to be an also-ran in their inaugural campaign.

In Round 1, the Knights pushed a more-fancied Eels outfit to the final minute before losing by a solitary point, while they managed to stop the Brisbane juggernaut running away with the game last weekend in a soggy Wollongong, eventually losing 28-10.

The key for both sides in this one will be mastering ball control, with both sides completing less than 65% of sets through the season to date. 

In team news - the Roosters of course welcome Baxter's return in the custodian role. Parker moves back to the wing as a result with Meakes shifting back into her preferred second row role. Togatuki shifts to prop while Hill-Moana is benched. Burton makes way on the bench but could be a late inclusion as she remains in the reserves list.

Newcastle are unchanged from Round 2, although Phoebe Desmond - who missed last week's contest due to COVID protocols - is named on the reserves listand could return to the side.

Last meeting: never met

Who to watch: It's the battle of the fullbacks, really. Baxter's input will be huge after a fortnight where the Roosters have lacked direction from the back. 

Newcastle's #1 Romy Teitzel has been one of the stars of the competition to date. If her halves can give her plenty of space the Roosters will need to watch out.

The favourite: With Baxter's return and the general depth of experience, the Tricolours are better backed to reverse their horrid start to the season and get a W.

My tip: In front of a home crowd at the SCG, the Roosters will be hoping to put on a show for the locals. Like the first two rounds, Newcastle will give a good account of themselves, but the Roosters should be too strong. Roosters by 2.

1. Corban Baxter 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Brydie Parker 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Tayla Predebon 11. Yasmin Meakes 12. Olivia Kernick 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Zahara Temara 15. Keilee Joseph 16. Mya Hill-Moana 17. Simone Karpani 23. Joeli Morris

1. Romy Teitzel 2. Katelyn Vaha'akolo 3. Jayme Fressard 4. Bobbi Law 6. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly 17. Kirra Dibb 13. Charntay Poko 8. Maitua Feterika 9. Krystal Rota 10. Annetta Nuuausala 11. Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce 12. Georgia Page 18. Phoebe Desmond 7. Tahlulah Tillett 14. Emma Manzelmann 15. Charlotte Scanlan 16. Ngatokotoru Arakua 19. Kyra Simon

Referees: Karra-Lee Nolan; Sideline Officials: Jake Sutherland, Clayton Wills; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;