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The New Zealand Warriors have moved to ninth on the NRL table with a 2-point win over the Sydney Roosters in a low-scoring match.
REPORT: WARRIORS ESCAPE WITH WIN
Final score
New Zealand Warriors 12
Sydney Roosters 10
The New Zealand Warriors will look to build on some very impressive recent form when they take on what is sure to be a desperate Sydney Roosters outfit at Mount Smart Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4pm (AEST).
For the Warriors, it has been all about attack in recent weeks and despite playing an Origin-fatigued Brisbane Broncos outfit, and the hapless Newcastle Knights, they have now managed to record two straight victories.
It seems to be the Origin period every year where the Warriors go on a run and having scored 86 points in the last two weeks after not looking like beating anyone, they have hit form.
With these victories they move right up to ninth place on the ladder, only out of the top eight based on for-and-against but a win of eight or more points should see them inside the eight.
For the Roosters though, it has quite literally been the season from hell. Only being held off the bottom of the ladder by the Knights, they have won just three of their first 13 games, and despite looking competitive at times haven’t been anywhere near the standard required.
After a strong win in ugly conditions a few weeks ago against the Wests Tigers, the Roosters come into this on the back of a 46-point demolition job at the hands of the Melbourne Storm.
Simply put, every area of their game needs a major improvement or we could be looking at a similar scoreline this time around.
There are plenty of changes for this clash. The Warriors will be without Jacob Lillyman due to Origin and Manu Vatuvei due to injury. This means Ken Maumalo comes in on the wing, with Albert Vete to start in the front row and Toafofoa Sipley onto the bench.
The Roosters are without Abraham Papalii, Aiden Guerra, Blake Ferguson and Eloni Vunakece. Joseph Manu is set to make his debut on the wing, while Shaun Kenny Dowall is back meaning Mitchell Aubusson shifts to the second row. Dylan Napa returns to the team with Kane Evans, Isaac Liu and Chris Evans all on a five-man bench.
The key to the match is Shaun Johnson. He has found a perfect mix of aggression and control recently, and with the back up from the likes of Tuimoala Lolohea, Issac Luke and the incredible David Fusitu’a on the wing, their attack looks nearly unstoppable.
Prediction
This could be an incredibly one-sided game if the Warriors show up to play, but if they don’t then they suddenly become the worst team in the competition and wouldn’t beat anybody. One way or another, the game won’t be close but it’s hard to see the Warriors playing poorly at home during the Origin period.
Warriors by 22.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 4pm (AEST) and don’t forget to get involved in the action by adding your comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde