The New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters clash in a match between two teams that are keen to bounce back after suffering heavy losses last week. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEDT.
It remains to be seen if the Warriors will get a rousing reception when they take to the field against the Roosters in their first home game of the season.
New Zealand played very poorly against Parramatta last week and would have alienated many supporters with their below-par performance.
Despite a promising period midway through the second half, the Warriors were never in the contest against the Eels and literally showed no sign of desperation and attitude when their backs were against the wall.
Their defeat last week was their seventh loss in a row, if you include the six consecutive defeats the Warriors suffered to finish off the 2012 season.
Luckily for New Zealand, they host a Roosters outfit that also did itself no favours in their opening round loss to South Sydney.
After a very strong start, the Roosters fell away badly and once again let ill discipline get the better of them as the Rabbitohs marched toward a commanding 28-10 victory.
With both teams struggling for confidence, defence could very well be at a premium tonight so we should be set for a high scoring contest.
Prediction
Both the Warriors and Roosters are known for their high error counts and poor discipline, so whichever team manages to keep that aspect of their game under control will win tonight.
New Zealand can be a tough nut to crack at home and should come out firing in a bid to eradicate last week’s dreadful performance from their memory banks.
The Warriors should keep it simple early and force the Roosters to commit to an arm wrestle.
Sydney really struggled to contain the Rabbitohs’ big forwards last week and often gave away stupid penalties when placed under pressure.
If Warriors forwards Ben Matulino and Feleti Mateo can get on top early, the Warriors will go a long way to frustrating a Roosters pack that can lose its discipline very quickly.
For the Roosters to stand a chance tonight, they simply must respect possession and maintain discipline whenever they are under pressure.
In the opening exchanges against South Sydney, the Roosters showed that they have the class necessary to match even the best opposition if they can just play simple and direct football.
As soon as the Roosters fell behind however, they lost all composure in attack and defence and panicked their way to defeat.
In short, the Roosters just need to stay calm with and without the football.
If they can do this, they certainly possess enough strike power in Michael Jennings, Sonny Bill Williams and Mitchell Pearce to win tonight.
Roosters by six.
karl
Guest
You mean "loses" the football. Ably assisted by a roosters hand in the take. Klein continues his policy of the night which is see no roosters evil, penalise no evil
Alan
Roar Guru
The Roosters led 16 nil early in the second half but the Warriors came back strongly and just fell short in the end by two points. Johnson's shocking conversion attempt was the difference in the end. Roosters defended well as the Warriors began to thrive on the back of strong crowd support. The Roosters attack was impressive with Jennings, Minichiello, Kenny-Dowall and Aubusson causing trouble with the football. Williams was solid without being spectacular but he nearly had a try assist after finding Jennings with a cracking offload in the second half. Great win for the Roosters away from home. Warriors tried hard and did take a step forward after last week's bad loss to the Eels. Thanks for your company tonight and join us for Sunday night footy tomorrow on The Roar Warriors 14 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - Maloney with a kick now and its a scrum to the Roosters here after the Warriors were accidentally offside and the Roosters hold on and win!!!! Warriors 14 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Nail biting finish here for both teams as the Roosters recover possession. Can they hold on now? Warriors 14 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Video referee changes the call and its a Warriors feed now. Correct decision. Roosters need a good defensive set here Warriors 14 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Warriors are going to muscle up here and the Roosters must be ready to respond upfront. Huge set this one. Roosters near the halfway as Aubusson goes on a good run. Bomb now and it bounces and the Roosters get the scrum!
Alan
Roar Guru
What a shocking conversion from Johnson right at the death. Could cost the Warriors here. The ball did not go anywhere near the post 76' - Warriors with the momentum here as the Roosters try to hold on. Johnson with a kick now and he finds touch and the Roosters can soak up time here Warriors 14 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Johnson misses and the Roosters remain in the lead! Warriors 14 Roosters 16 Great grubber from Johnson but the Roosters should have batted the football dead. Minichiello with an air swing there and Tupou scored.
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY WARRIORS - Johnson with a grubber here and the Warriors may have grounded this and scored! Try is awarded and poor defence from the Roosters there as Tupou scores Warriors 14 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Roosters under huge pressure here as the Warriors win another penalty due to a high tackle. Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Warriors win a penalty here and that's a big call and the Warriors now with a chance to perhaps level things up Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Lillyman has been very strong tonight for the Warriors. Roosters ten short of halfway. Maloney with a kick and he finds the sideline and that's a good kick deep in Warriors territory Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - We are set for a terrific final ten minutes here. Great trysaver on Jennings earlier by Johnson and Fisiiahi. Minichiello regathers possession now as the Warriors kick Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Warriors with a good defensive set here as the Roosters are flat footed. Friend with a kick from dummy-half and Fisiiahi returns now Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Warriors hold on yet again as Johnson kicks deep and Minichiello regathers well and returns possession now Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY ROOSTERS - Jennings is ruled to have not grounded the football just in time and the Warriors continue to hold on here. What a bullet dodged! Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
What an offload by Williams. That's what the Roosters need! Great cover defence from the Warriors though on Jennings who looked destined to score Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Tuivasa Sheck nearly goes through here thanks to good footwork. Williams now finds Jennings who may have scored a great try in the corner!!! Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
67' - Warriors just making the easier yardage here but Mateo loses the football and the Roosters are off the hook here but they need to show some character now because the Warriors are finishing the stronger Warriors 10 Roosters 16
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Roosters finding a 40/20 through Maloney but the ball goes dead and the Warriors win a 20 metre restart. That was close Warriors 10 Roosters 16