After being upset by the Dolphins in their season-opener last week, the Roosters will be eager to bounce back at home against a Warriors side who fought their way to victory over the Knights in Round 1.
Trent Robinson's side struggled to get things going in attack against the competition newcomers and shot themselves in the foot with a high error rate, while in addition losing 28-18 they had both Victor Radley and Matt Lodge fail head injury assessments, with the latter now set to undergo surgery on a facial injury this week.
The Warriors on the other will be in high spirits after a 20-12 win in which they took the limited opportunities presented to them in attack and defended with true grit through prolonged periods camped in their own half.
All seven of their new signings played well, and in particular their new-look forward pack stood out, with all bar Marata Niukore in the starting unit running for over 100 metres.
The Roosters have won their last five games against the Warriors stretching back to 2018, but across their head-to-head history it's the New Zealand-based side who have a slight advantage, having won 22 of the 44 games, which includes one draw.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Team News
Roosters: With Victor Radley out after picking up a head knock last week, Naufahu Whyte starts at lock. Joey Manu is good to go after recovering from a pre-season facial fracture, while Brandon Smith will line up at hooker. Drew Hutchison goes back to the interchange and Fletcher Baker comes in for Matt Lodge, who has had surgery on a facial fracture suffered in Round 1. Corey Allan is the replacement player.
Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster will field an unchanged 17 on the back of a first-up win. Edward Kosi retains his place on the wing with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (calf) facing a month on the sideline. Bayley Sironen is the replacement player. Utility forward Jazz Tevaga returned from a layoff with a hernia on Saturday, taking the field for the club's reserve-grade side.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stat Attack
- The Warriors completed 87 percent of their 39 sets against the Knights, the second best completion rate or Round 1 (the Cowboys finished at 88 percent).
- The Roosters struggled to control the ball against the Dolphins, making 13 errors which was the equal highest tally in Round 1.
- Tohu Harris got through plenty in an 80-minute shift against the Knights, finishing with a game-high 51 tackles, running for 145 metres and racking up 70 NRL Fantasy points.
- The Warriors have lost their past six games in Sydney, while the Roosters won nine from 12 at home venues in 2022.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored nine tries in his past eight NRL games.
- The Warriors are aiming for a 2-0 start to the season for only the fourth time in their history.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.