2020 NRL – New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Saturday 25th July, 2020 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Central Coast Stadium, Central Coast
What is the expected weather for New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters? 17c, cloudy with a chance of showers
What channel is New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Starting 13: Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitu’a, Pompey, Hiku, Maumalo, Nikorima, Green, Taunoa-Brown, Lawton, Hetherington, Katoa, Harris, Tevaga – Interchanges: Harris-Tavita, Blair, Papali’i, Burr – Reserves: Murchie, Curran, Keighran, Herbert
Unavailable: Jackson Frei (Injured), Bunty Afoa (Injured), Nathaniel Roache (Injured), Taane Milne (Injured), Lesson Ah Mau (Injured), Leivaha Pulu (Personal Reasons), Wayde Egan (Injured), Agnatius Paasi (Injured)
- New Zealand Warriors put in a poor showing as they were blown away by Cronulla Sharks last weekend with that heavy loss seeing them fall to 3-6 for the season and they must show huge signs of improvement as they come up against reigning premiers Sydney Roosters.
- The Warriors shipped 46 points last week which means they have conceded 40 points or more in three of their last five matches but having scored just 10 last week, their average per game for the season stands at just 12.7.
- Their lack of ability on both sides of the ball is a big concern ahead of this fixture and they have suffered further injury woe this week with Wayde Egan and Agnatius Paasi dropping out with Chanel Harris-Tavita and Lachlan Burr taking their spots.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Starting 13: Tedesco, Ikuvalu, J. Morris, Manu, B. Morris, Keary, Flanagan, Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Aubusson, Liu – Interchanges: Lam, Tupouinua, Butcher, Collins – Reserves: Faamausili, Hall, Fifita, Hutchison
Unavailable: Billy Smith (Injured), Victor Radley (Injured), Sam Verrills (Injured), Daniel Tupou (Injured), Angus Crichton (Injured)
- Sydney Roosters were unable to beat an injury-hit Canberra Raiders side in their repeat of last year’s Grand Final and they will be eager to respond in this contest as the race for the top four intensifies in what will be their first game of the second half of the season.
- The Roosters have made lots of errors this season and their 14 last week was double the number that the Raiders made which ultimately proved to be their downfall with that number needing to be reduced here.
- They are now averaging 12 per game which is the joint second-highest in the NRL so far this season and in their bid to return to winning ways, they must do without the services of second rower Angus Crichton who has collected a knee injury but Nat Butcher is back following a rib complaint.
THE PREDICTION
New Zealand Warriors were poor once again as they fell to a heavy defeat against Cronulla Sharks last week and things could be about to get a whole lot worse for them as they take on reigning premiers Sydney Roosters. Following their disappointing loss to the Canberra Raiders last week, the Roosters will be out to right the wrongs of that loss which spells trouble for the Warriors. The Roosters have beaten the Warriors by an aggregate scoreline of 74-6 in their last two meetings and this is likely to be a one-sided affair with the Tricolours able to win by at least 24 points.
