The Stats Zone
October 4 2019, 10:22 · Ash Wheldon

2019 NRL Grand Final – Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction

2019 NRL Grand Final – Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction
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THE FACTS

When is Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders taking place? Sunday 6th September, 09:30

Where is Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders taking place? ANZ Stadium

What channel is Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports

Where can I stream Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders?
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 Canberra Raiders?
Sydney Roosters – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500001

Canberra Raiders – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500013

THE TEAM NEWS

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Head Coach: Trent Robinson

Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, Mitchell, Manu, Morris, Keary, Cronk, Waerea-Hargreaves, Verrills, Liu, Cordner, Aubusson, Radley – Interchanges: Crichton, Tetevano, Butcher, Taukeiaho – Reserves: Collins, Hutchison, Friend, Hall

Unavailable:

  • Sydney Roosters moved to within 80 minutes of becoming the first side in the NRL era to defend their premiership after they defeated minor premiers Melbourne last week thanks to a superb defensive effort.
  • The Roosters will have enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back in their side after a ban and he comes straight back into the starting XIII with Siosiua Taukeiaho reverting to the bench and Lindsay Collins is the unlucky man to miss out.
  • Jake Friend is once again named on an extended bench but he remains a big doubt having failed to appear last week and it looks as though he will be absent for the Grand Final with his arm injury not healing in time to feature.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Head Coach: Ricky Stuart

Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Cotric, Croker, Leilua, Rapana, Wighton, Sezer, Papalii, Hodgson, Soliola, J. Bateman, Whitehead, Tapine – Interchanges: Simonson, Guler, Horsburgh, Lui – Reserves: Williams, Sutton, Havili, Kris

Unavailable: Luke Bateman, Hudson Young

  • Canberra advanced to their first NRL Grand Final in 25 years after a superb defensive display saw them edge South Sydney but they come into this game against defending champions Sydney Roosters as a big underdog.
  • Joey Leilua and Jack Wighton both copped knocks last week but it would be a surprise if the pair did not start for the Raiders after they were both named in Ricky Stuart’s initial side at the start of the week.
  • The Canberra head coach has named the same 17 that defeated South Sydney and despite Josh Hodgson and John Bateman both suffering from illness during the week, it would take a lot to keep them from appearing.

THE PREDICTION

Sydney Roosters will enter the NRL Grand Final as favourites to retain their crown but know they will be in for a huge challenge against a gutsy Canberra side. The Raiders have defended well all season and that will be key to success for either side in a game that should be a low-scoring affair. No team has defended their crown since Brisbane in ’92 and ’93 but this Roosters side look well set to do so and, in what is Cooper Cronk’s final game in the NRL before he retires, he can lead his side to what would be his third consecutive Grand Final success.