Despite a fast finish from the Newcastle Knights, the Sydney Roosters hung on to record a 38-22 win on Sunday.
>>MATCH REPORT: Roosters hold off fast-finishing Knights
At one stage in the second half, the Roosters held a 32-0 lead, but let their guard down and conceded four unanswered tries. Despite the lapse, they held on to win.
Newcastle 22 def. by Sydney 38
The dominant Sydney Roosters will look to continue to heap the pain on the hapless Newcastle Knights when the two teams do battle at Hunter Stadium in Round 22. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this match from 3:45pm (AEST).
The Knights, led by new coach Danny Buderus, had a forgettable game last week as the St George Illawarra Dragons ran up 46 points.
At times, especially in the first half, Newcastle looked to be an improved team but the final score line continued a horror season for the Knights, who have only won two games since Round 4.
Now out of finals contention, sitting in last place and with not a lot left to play for, Newcastle will be relying on energy and enthusiasm from some youngsters in the team.
The Roosters meanwhile sit in third position coming into Round 22 and have been in brilliant form. Despite a scare against the Canterbury Bulldogs last weekend in a high-scoring game, they have won their last seven games in a row and have looked the best team in the comp.
In team news, the Knights welcome back Tariq Sims into the second row and David Fa’alogo onto the bench. Chris Houston, who was in the second row last week, will play from the bench as Joe Tapine and Lachlan Fitzgibbon miss out.
For the Roosters Shaun Kenny-Dowall returns on the wing, which means Brendan Elliot misses the side. Sam Moa is out with a wrist injury, replaced by Isaac Liu on the bench, while both Suaia Matagi and Matt Mcilwrick are on the extended six-man bench named by Trent Robinson.
For the Knights to have any sort of chance a fast start is key. They have to get out of the blocks well and put the Roosters under pressure. They then need to play a fast-tempo game, similar to the first half they played last weekend.
The Roosters will probably start the game in a grinding fashion, put the Knights on the back foot, and then strike hard.
The key battle looks to be that of the front rows. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who couldn’t have played much better last week, joins Dylan Napa in a scary front row for the Roosters. If the likes of Korbin Sims and Kade Snowden can’t control them things could get ugly.
Prediction
The Knights haven’t really looked like winning at all in recent times and the Roosters have been on fire. No upset in this one.
Roosters by 24.
Join The Roar for live coverage of this clash from 3:45pm (AEST), and don’t forget to add your comments if you’re following along.
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