Warriors v Roosters: Mass changes for home side; JWH out
The Warriors take on the Roosters for the second time in six weeks with both sides set for short turnarounds following their Anzac Day matches.
The Roosters got a first-up victory in Round 2 but the Warriors showed enough signs that day to prove they're more than capable of beating any team on their day – a storyline which has continued throughout the 2023 season so far.
Heading into Round 9, the Warriors find themselves firmly entrenched inside the top eight as one of seven teams level on 10 competition points.
Their close defeat to the Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day would have no doubt been tough to take given their early dominance, but a return home across the ditch – where they are yet to taste defeat this season – will be a welcome relief.
Battered and bruised from an Anzac Day thriller of their own, the Roosters will take plenty of confidence from their one-point victory over the Dragons but not without a measure of concern – particularly in the manner of their edge defence.
Having led by 14 points on two occasions during the match, coach Trent Robinson will certainly want to see more from his side defensively after allowing the Dragons back into the contest. He will have been pleased, however, with the combination of Joseph Manu and Luke Keary in the halves, having made the decision mid-week to involve the 2022 Golden Boot winner more in his team's attack.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
5th Position
away Team
Roosters
6th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team News
Warriors: There are plenty of changes for the home side with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (head knock) already out, the Warriors were dealt a second blow at fullback with Taine Tuaupiki ruled out due to a leg injury. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is the new fullback, with Marcelo Montoya moving to the wing and Viliami Vailea coming into the starting side at centre. Demitric Sifakula will make his NRL debut off the bench while Marata Niukore will start at prop with Josh Curran moving to the edge and Addin Fonua-Blake listed at lock.
Roosters: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a late withdrawal, which sees Matt Lodge start at prop and Fletcher Baker join the squad on the bench. There are otherwise no other changes to that which was named mid-week, with Nat Butcher returning from suspension and Angus Crichton moving to the interchange. Corey Allan comes in on the wing for Daniel Tupou, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Dragons on Anzac Day. Sam Walker will be 18th man.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Warriors is number 3 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Corey Allan
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
-
Centre for Warriors is number 17 Viliami VaileaCentre for Roosters is number 4 Paul Momirovski
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward KosiWinger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Dylan WalkerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Joseph Manu
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
-
Prop for Warriors is number 12 Marata NiukoreProp for Roosters is number 17 Matthew Lodge
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Josh Curran2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
-
Lock for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy LussickInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bayley SironenInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Angus Crichton
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Tom AleInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Demitric SifakulaInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Fletcher Baker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 22 Kalani GoingReplacement for Roosters is number 19 Sam Walker
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won three from three in New Zealand this season.
- The Roosters have won their past six games against the Warriors.
- Edward Kosi has scored six tries in five games at Mt Smart Stadium.
- The Roosters play in New Zealand for the first time since 2018.
- Six Warriors players have never achieved a victory against the Roosters.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
