The Stats Zone
June 1 2018, 18:52 · Ash Wheldon

2018 NRL – Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Sunday 03rd June, 07:10 (UK)

Where? Allianz Stadium

What channel is it on? UK - Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers will not be televised live in the UK
Australia - Nine Network, Foxtel, LIVE PASS

Where can I stream the match? UK - N/A
Australia - https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer

Are tickets still available? http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=ROOS1318

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

ROOSTERS

Head Coach: Trent Robinson

Starting 13: Ferguson, Tupou, Manu, Aubusson, Ikuvalu, Keary, Cronk, Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Taukeiaho, Radley, Matterson, Liu – Interchanges: Tetevano, Nuuausala, Baptiste, Butcher – Reserves: Faamausili, Collins, Cornish, Momirovski

Unavailable: James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Boyd Cordner, Dylan Napa

  • Sydney Roosters overcame a poor first half to defeat Gold Coast last week. The Roosters went into the break with an eight-point deficit but scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to claim a comfortable 34-14 win.

  • Daniel Tupou makes a timely return from a pec injury with the Roosters losing four players to State of Origin call-ups. James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner will represent New South Wales whilst Dylan Napa is in the Queesland side. Matthew Ikuvalu will make his debut on the wing with Ryan Matterson and Frank-Paul Nuuausala also coming in to the side.

  • The Roosters did well to turn the game around last week with them proving too strong for the Titans. They made 37 tackle breaks which proved too much for Gold Coast to handle with the Roosters attack looking very slick.

TIGERS

Head Coach: Ivan Cleary

Starting 13: Lolohea, Nofoaluma, Marsters, Fonua, Thompson, Marshall, Brooks, Packer, Taylor, Matulino, Lawrence, Chee-Kam, Eisenhuth – Interchanges: Twal, Reynolds, Aloai, Grant – Reserves: Sue, McQueen, Godinet, Naiqama

Unavailable: Jacob Liddle

  • Wests managed to grind out a scrappy win over Canterbury last week to remain in the top 8. The Tigers defended well to restrict the Bulldogs to a solitary try and whilst they only crossed for three themselves, it was enough for a 14-10 win.

  • Jacob Liddle is out for Wests with the versatile Elijah Taylor taking up the rake’s spot with Matt Eisenhuth moving to lock and Tim Grant coming onto the bench.

  • Wests and Canterbury were fairly well matched in plenty of areas last week according to the stats but the Tigers did enough for the win. Their defence held up well as it has all season with Wests conceding just 177 points so far with only top-of-the-table Penrith conceding fewer points (168).

THE PREDICTION

The final game of Round 13 sees Sydney Roosters take on Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium with the home side severely weakened by Origin call-ups. They have four players missing which will provide a severe test of their squad. Wests are unaffected by Origin and have every one of their squad available other than Jacob Liddle. This is a crucial game for the two teams occupying the final spots in the top 8. The winner will go two points ahead of their opponents and push themselves towards the top 4 whilst the loser will be looking over their shoulder. This could go either way but it remains to be seen how the Roosters will cope without their Origin stars, leaving Wests to edge this one.