Roosters v Wests Tigers: Wait is over for Walker; Smith new No.7
The Roosters can likely afford no slip ups in their late surge towards the finals, while the Wests Tigers are playing for pride and sure to be boosted by snapping a 10-game losing streak last week.
A 34-12 demolition of the Eels last week saw the Tricolours all but eliminate one of their rivals on the edge of the finals cutoff and go even with the eighth-placed Rabbitohs.
With their attack – which for so much of 2023 has struggled to generate points on a consistent basis – now clicking, the Roosters have made 26 line breaks in their last three outings and are averaging 30 points scored.
While they don’t have the prospect of finals football to play for, the Wests Tigers will be buoyed by tasting victory for the first time in three months after Api Koroisau’s sideline penalty in the dying stages got them past the Dolphins 24-23 last Saturday.
The joint venture have an awful head-to-head record against this week’s opposition though, having been defeated by the Roosters in 20 of their past 22 meetings, which includes being outscored 112-12 in their past two games against the Tricolours.
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Team News
Roosters: A late change an hour before kick-off with Egan Butcher coming onto the bench on his return from a head knock and Angus Crichton making way. Sam Walker is back in the No.7 jersey for his first NRL game since Round 9 so Drew Hutchison reverts to 18th Man. Joey Manu goes to fullback to replace James Tedesco (head knock) and Corey Allan comes in at centre. After withdrawing from the Eels clash with acute neck pain, Kiwi Test prop Jared Waerea-Hargreave is back on deck so Fletcher Baker moves to the bench.
Wests Tigers: No further changes on game day after Alex Twal dropped out on Friday due to illness. Twal has been replaced on the bench by Aitasi James. Captain Api Koroisau shifts back to hooker after starring at halfback in the win over the Dolphins. Will Smith is the new No.7 and Jake Simpkin (HIA protocols) is out. Luke Brooks remains sidelined with a calf injury and may have played his last game for the club.
Match: Roosters v Wests Tigers
Round 26 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph ManuFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Triston Reilly
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Corey AllanCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Will Smith
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Siua Wong2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon SmithInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Justin Matamua
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Shawn Blore
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell MayInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Egan ButcherInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Aitasi James
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Drew HutchisonReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Kit Laulilii
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have lost three of their past four games without James Tedesco.
- The Roosters’ 7906 tackles made this season is the most in the competition, with the Wests Tigers sitting fifth in that category with 7402.
- David Klemmer has missed just five tackles all year while making 565 and heads into his 23rd game of the year with a 99.1 percent tackle efficiency rating.
- The Roosters have won 16 of their past 17 games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have won only one of their past 10 games at Moore Park venues.
- The Roosters have scored 150 points in their past three games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has never beaten the Roosters (11 games, 11 losses).
Match: Roosters v Wests Tigers
Round 26 -
home Team
Roosters
11th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
