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The Sydney Roosters head across the ditch to tackle the New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium. Join The Roar from 6pm (AEDT) for live scores as sixth takes on eighth in the NRL.
Round 13 was a tad surprising for both these teams. The Roosters went down to their bogey team, the Sharks, in a very poor performance.
After shutting out the Storm so impressively in Round 12, a lot more was expected from the Tricolours, but they were ordinary at Remondis.
For the Warriors, they were really touched up by South Sydney. They had a few injuries but just could not handle the power and force of a dominant Rabbitohs side in Perth.
Before last weekend the Roosters and Warriors had been on a bit of a roll, winning three in a row each, so both clubs are looking to cement their positions in the top eight today.
The Kiwis’ task becomes harder in this shortened round with the absence of Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman for Origin. Charlie Gubb and Raymond Faitala-Mariner are the new men in for Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman, while Albert Vete starts in the number 8 jumper.
In a boost, Konrad Hurrell is back from suspension with Johnathan Wright making way. Sam Tomkins returns at fullback, with Siliva Havili dropping out of the team, while Nathan Friend starts at hooker and Tuimoala Lolohea moves to the bench.
It’s a fair amount of change for the Warriors who are usually tough to beat in Auckland.
Like the Warriors, the Roosters have some big holes to fill as well. Mitchell Pearce, Michael Jennings and Boyd Cordner are all off for the Blues, while Aiden Guerra is with Queensland.
Daniel Tupou has been dropped by NSW and will play in this game.
With Cordner unavailable Mitch Aubusson moves to the back row, Shaun Kenny-Dowall shifts to the centres and Brendan Elliot comes in on the wing. Jackson Hastings starts at halfback, with Matt McIlwrick on the bench, while Sio Siua Taukeiaho starts for Guerra and Willie Manu comes on to the bench.
New Zealand has its boost with Hurrell and the Roosters have one in the form of centre Blake Ferguson coming back after a long lay off with a foot injury.
Both teams still have plenty of quality on display. Just who handles the rejig best and can still play their natural game should win.
Prediction
These two sides are evenly matched but the Warriors at home are too formidable to tip against.
Join us from 6pm (AEDT) for all the action from Mt Smart.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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