2019 NRL – Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers taking place? Saturday 4th May, 10:35
Where is Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers taking place? Sydney Cricket Ground
What channel is Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers?
Sydney Roosters – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500001
Wests Tigers – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500023
THE TEAM NEWS
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Head Coach: Trent Robinson
Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, Mitchell, Manu, Ikuvalu, Keary, Cronk, Waerea-Hargreaves, Radley, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Crichton, Liu – Interchanges: Butcher, Tetevano, Tupouniua, Aubusson – Reserves: Collins, Faamausili, Lam, Verrills
Unavailable: Ryan Hall, Billy Smith, Brett Morris, Jake Friend
- Sydney Roosters maintained their fine run of form as they extended their winning run to six matches with a narrow win over St. George but suffered a long-term injury to hooker Jake Friend which also ends his Origin hopes.
- Friend is set to miss between three and four months for the Roosters after he suffered ruptured biceps in last week's win but in better news for the Tricolours, Luke Keary and Isaac Liu are fit enough to return.
- Keary slots back in at five-eighth in place of Lachlan Lam whilst Liu comes in at lock with Victor Radley reverting to hooker in Friend’s absence whilst Brett Morris and Ryan Hall are expected to come into contention over the next month.
WESTS TIGERS
Head Coach: Michael Maguire
Starting 13: Mbye, Fonua, Jennings, Marsters, Thompson, Marshall, Brooks, Matulino, Farah, Twal, Matterson, McQueen, Aloiai – Interchanges: Taylor, Mikaele, Eisenhuth, Garner – Reserves: Momirovski, Liddle, Nofoaluma, Packer
Unavailable: Chris Lawrence, Josh Reynolds, Michael Chee-Kam
- Wests Tigers bounced back from their horror show against Parramatta as they fought back from a 14-point deficit to beat Gold Coast with the Tigers showing some good character from the position they found themselves in.
- Benji Marshall is set to come back into the fold for Wests Tigers this week after Josh Reynolds suffered a knee injury last week and providing he can prove his fitness, he will slot in at five-eighth after a four-match absence.
- Chris McQueen and Elijah Taylor continue in the side after they were given late call-ups last week whilst Luke Garner is back on the bench following a head knock with Paul Momirovski dropping to the reserves.
THE PREDICTION
Sydney Roosters look the best team in the NRL and extended their winning run to six matches last week. The win over the Dragons came at a cost with Jake Friend suffering a long-term injury but the Tigers also lost Josh Reynolds and that can help the Roosters despite Benji Marshall’s return. Even if he is able to roll back the years and produce a stellar performance, it will take a lot to beat this Roosters side and they can improve their winning run to seven matches, having too much for a shaky Wests Tigers defence.
