The Roosters and Dolphins clash for the second time in NRL history on Saturday night six months on from one of the biggest upsets of the season.
Both these sides last met in Round 1 for the Dolphins' inaugural clash in the NRL with Wayne Bennett's side springing an upset at Suncorp Stadium on an historic day for the game's 17th team.
Fast forward to August and a lot has changed since then. The Roosters' inconsistencies throughout 2023 have been on full display while the Dolphins had momentum early but have since slipped away.
You can bet the Bondi boys haven't forgotten about the season-opener after being on the wrong end of the scoreline with a return to Allianz Stadium the perfect opportunity to not only get one back but keep their slim finals hopes alive.
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Team news
Roosters: There are no late changes for the Tricolours with veteran forward Dylan Napa coming in for his first NRL game since 2021. Napa replaces the suspended Nathan Brown in the only change to Trent Robinson's squad from last week.
Dolphins: There visitors are unchanged one hour prior to kick-off. Ray Stone returns from the broken hand he suffered in Round 20 against the Panthers and joins the bench, which pushes Herman Ese'ese back to 18th man. Kodi Nikorima is again the fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the centres.
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Stat Attack
- Dolphins winger and leading points-scorer Jamayne Isaako has scored 19 tries in 20 NRL games this season.
- The Dolphins have won only two of their last 10 matches.
- The Roosters have made more tackles than any other NRL team in 2023.
- The Roosters are aiming for their first back-to-back wins since April.
- Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has won eight of his past 10 games against the Roosters.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored five tries in his past four games.
- In their only previous game in Sydney, the Dolphins were swamped 58-18 by Manly.
- Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary will make his 200th NRL appearance.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.