Roosters v Raiders: Watson, Smith on deck; Same 17 for Ricky
The Raiders claimed the massive scalp last week by upsetting the Panthers and coach Ricky Stuart will be aiming to plot another ambush against the Roosters.
Canberra outlasted Penrith to claim their 22-18 win in captain Elliott Whitehead's farewell home game, but now they are not playing on emotion, the Raiders will need to reset in order to achieve another upset.
The in-form Roosters ran in nine tries in their 48-22 win over the Titans which pushed them to second spot on the ladder, but captain James Tedesco said there was plenty of improvement in his side and that they needed to limit the points scored against them.
This week, they are set to be without veteran Jared Waerea-Hagreaves who is facing a three-match ban for a high shot on Titans hooker Sam Verrills during Sunday's clash.
Sportsbet Betting Preview: Roosters v Raiders
In his first game back from a four-match ban for a Careless High Tackle, Waerea-Hargreaves was hit with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle charge for the 10th minute incident that saw him sent to the sin bin.
While the Roosters were initially hopeful that centre Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i would be fit to play after he suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's win, after being assessed it was determined that he had aggravated a pre-existing neck complaint and has commenced rehabilitation.
Match: Roosters v Raiders
Round 26 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Raiders
12th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Roosters: Connor Watson (concussion protocols) and Brandon Smith (calf) are back on deck but Joseph Sua'ali'i (neck) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (suspended) are out. Michael Jennings comes into the centres and Spencer Leniu starts the game at prop while Naufahu Whyte has been added to the bench. Rugby convert Mark Nawaqanitawase is listed among the reserves as he closes in on an NRL debut.
Raiders: Coach Ricky Stuart has named the same 17 that upset the Panthers in Canberra last weekend to keep their finals dream alive. Corey Horsburgh and Danny Levi are again named on the bench but could swap with Josh Papalii and Tom Starling on game day as they did in Round 25.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Kaeo Weekes
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Spencer LeniuProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Nat ButcherLock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny Levi
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Corey Horsburgh
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Simi Sasagi
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Sandon SmithReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Jed Stuart
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Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Siua WongReserve for Raiders is number 19 Zac Woolford
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Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Robert ToiaReserve for Raiders is number 20 Emre Guler
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Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Zach Dockar-ClayReserve for Raiders is number 21 Adam Cook
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Mark NawaqanitawaseReserve for Raiders is number 22 Trey Mooney
Roosters Ins
- Brandon Smith
- Connor Watson
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Naufahu Whyte
- Robert Toia
- Siua Wong
Raiders Ins
- Adam Cook
- Emre Guler
- Trey Mooney
- Zac Woolford
Roosters Outs
- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
- Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
Raiders Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won 10 from 10 against teams sitting outside the top eight.
- The Raiders have won only three from 10 away from home this season.
- Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored 11 tries in his past seven games at Allianz Stadium.
- Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored five tries in his past six games.
- Roosters centre Joseph Manu has scored seven tries in his past five games against the Raiders.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
