Preview of this weekend’s NRL semi-finals

Grab the key facts and factors that will decide this weekend’s National Rugby League semi-finals.

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(NB all times AEST, prefix denotes regular season finish):

8-NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS v 4-SYDNEY ROOSTERS - 6.30pm tonight at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Head to head: Warriors 11, Roosters 10, Drawn 1

Last match: Roosters 38 bt Warriors 12 at Mt Smart Stadium (Rnd 11, 2008)

TAB Sportsbet: Warriors $1.60, Roosters $2.30

Footy TAB: Roosters +3.5 points

Finals football is about commitment, confidence and momentum. At the moment the Warriors have all three by the bucketloads. Their incredible late win over Melbourne last week gifted them a home semi this week but of all opponents it is the Roosters they fear most. The Bondi boys spanked them at Mt Smart earlier this year and have a forward pack that thrives on confrontation. The Roosters had plenty of intensity last week but can they replicate it in front of a sold out Warriors home crowd? Roosters winger Amos Roberts should return to face off with in-form Warriors giant Manu Vatuvei while teammate and centre Setaimata Sa (hip) passed a fitness test today.

Key: Intensity. The Roosters fell off in the second half last week while the Warriors just never give up.

Tip: Warriors

5-BRISBANE BRONCOS v 1-MELBOURNE STORM - 7.45pm on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium

Head to head: Broncos 9, Storm 13, Drawn 1

Last match: Storm 28 bt Broncos 6 at Olympic Park (Rnd 4, 2008)

TAB Sportsbet: Broncos 2.40, Storm $1.55

Footy TAB: Broncos +4.5 points

Many thought this could be the 2008 grand final but Melbourne’s shock loss to the Warriors last week consigned the premiership favourites to a horror trip to Brisbane and sudden death semi-final. The Broncos put their title credentials on display with an emphatic win over the Roosters last week but have been under siege ever since with police investigating sexual assault claims against three stars after an alcohol binge the day after their win. The Broncos have lost all five finals played at Suncorp Stadium while the Storm have won seven of the past eight games between the two clubs. Storm forward Ryan Hoffman (ankle) remains under an injury cloud.

Key: Can Brisbane cast aside the off-field turmoil and concentrate on the toughest task in the NRL?

Tip: Storm

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