Warriors v Roosters preview

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Warriors v Sydney Roosters Friday 6:00pm at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa

Which team will continue their redemption arc after last start upsets

The two biggest improvers from Round 1 go head to head in what is shaping as an important fixture in the context of the Warriors and Roosters' seasons. The first match of Friday Night Football sees head across the Tasman as the Warriors look to break an eight year home drought against the Roosters.

The Warriors rebounded nicely following their Vegas disaster with an impressive 20 point victory over Manly last weekend. Luke Metcalf bounced back brilliantly after an opening night horror-show, leading the Warriors around the park brilliantly and having a hand in most of their high octane attack. James Fisher-Harris and Mitch Barnett led from the front with a brilliant forwards' knock meanwhile Wayde Egan continued his forward progression with a great individual performance. The backs did their job coming out of their own end and could pose some problems this weekend.

To beat the Roosters, the Warriors need to dictate the flow of the game just like they did to Manly. Hit the ball up hard early in the set, try some second phase later in the set and finish with a tactical kick to the corner. Also, chance your arm against the Roosters, they seem to panic when the ball is in second phase as the Broncos had great success throwing the ball around. They will be 1-17 for this clash.

The Roosters are coming off one of the bravest wins in the club's proud history. Paying their biggest price in history of sports-betting and with a front-row room on the brink of collapse, the Bondi boys put in their best victory over the ‘undisputed' premiers on their home ground. What was most impressive about Friday's win was the never-say-die attitude, they could've thrown in the towel down 6-0 early, but they has an answer for everything Penrith threw at them. 

James Tedesco's leadership of this side wrote another famous chapter in his storied career and what about Daniel Tupou, that try-saver will go down as the try-saver of 2025, NO ONE stops Brian To'o that close to the line and yet the gentle giant did it with ease.

Enough waxing lyrical though, back to the grind of football and they have to match another strong forward pack. Fortunately, they get reinforcements, but pressure is on the likes of Naufahu Whyte and Siua Wong to lift again. The duo were outstanding against the feared Penrith pack, but now the challenge is for them to get up and go again. Whyte has the added motivation of returning home to New Zealand and putting on a strong display in front of his family and friends. 

Elsewhere, the side just needs to lift to expectation, after Round 1 a lot was made of what this side couldn't achieve, now there's expectation after a performance like that. The edges could have a field day outwide, given the challenges we saw the Warriors face in Vegas out wide with the speed of Canberra and to some extent Manly. So expect some early shifts in attack from the Roosters this week.

Onto team news. The reinforcements return, Lindsay Collins has to return via the interchange bench while Spencer Leniu starts alongside boom forward Naufahu Whyte. Salesi Foketi has been named but could come out if the judiciary doesn't downgrade his high tackle charge. Meanwhile, Trent Robinson has abandoned the Radley at edge experiment, with the English international starting at lock.

Last meeting: Round 10 2024 - Roosters 38 Warriors 18

Who to watch: For the home side, pressure is mounting on Kurt Capewell. Capewell has had a rough start to the year defensively, missing 12 tackles this season whilst only having eight touches a game. There is serious competition on the edge with Jacob Laban having a strong start to the season in reserve grade. It could be a case where his form is too good to pass up if Capewell doesn't deliver soon. 

Meanwhile for the Roosters, the focus is on Lindsay Collins. The opening round was a nightmare for all Roosters supporters, but Collins' performance left a bad taste in a lot people's mouths. He struggled to go forward and despite his defensive scramble being a feature, his work with the ball has left a lot to be desired. Watch for a bounce back given the work of Whyte, Losalu and Makatoa last week.

Favourite: The Warriors are slight favourites in this one, the home side hasn't beaten the Roosters since 2018, where Mason Lino put on a masterclass at Allianz Stadium.

My tip: The Warriors will be up for this one but will need to win the opening quarter to have a chance in this one, if they can throw the ball around and unsettle the visitors, they will go a long way to victory. The Roosters have a classy side and will always have something to throw at the Warriors and their pack will have a point to prove with so many veterans back. Roosters by 8.

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Jacob Laban 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Rocco Berry

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Lindsay Collins 18. Hugo Savala 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Billy Smith 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Ethan Roberts

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Tyson Brough; Video Referees: Liam Kennedy;