A Saturday night blockbuster awaits, as the Sydney Roosters take on the St George-Illawarra Dragons in a game that is sure to shape the top eight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Roosters have been in very patchy form coming into this game, including a shock loss to the Knights in their last start.
They sit in fifth on the ladder, and a loss in this match would almost certainly see their top four hopes finish.
The Dragons have been in good form over the last few weeks, winning four of their last five matches. The only loss in that stretch was to the juggernaut that is the Manly Sea Eagles.
They are currently on the outside looking in to the top eight, but a win in this one would see their chances increase ten-fold.
The Roosters have made a some key changes heading into this match, as Michael Jennings makes his return from injury.
That move pushes Aidan Guerra back to the second row, bolstering a unit that lost Sonny Bill Williams and Mitchell Aubusson to injury.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall moves back into the centres, and Nene Macdonald is scheduled to start on the wing. Vincent Leuluai has been named to an extended bench.
The Dragons have no changes in their 1-17, with Shane Pumipi named to a five-man bench.
The Roosters are a completely different side without Sonny Bill Williams, so don’t be surprised if they come out very flat in this game.
The Dragons will need to be good enough to take advantage of that.
Prediction
I’m going with the upset here, as I think the Dragons have been in good enough form to topple an SBW-less Roosters outfit. It’ll be close, but I think the Dragons’ halves pairing has enough class to get them over the line.
Dragons by 4.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST). If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
These uniforms were a one off for the NRL to promote some super heroes set up.Seems to have worked according to Andrew Voss,they sold 20,000 of them so far worth $3m.
paul craggie
Guest
What's with the team uniforms. Who possibly are the NRL appealing to ? 2 year olds. It's beyond comic. No wonder I rarely watch anymore.
james t
Guest
Marshall was the difference for the roosters. Clearly the chooks got nothing. Back to the bottom 8 mate
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME It's all over, and it's the Roosters that grab an 8 point victory. A good performance from the reigning premiers, but the Dragons certainly weren't disgraced in defeat. Widdop and Marshall were either very good or very bad tonight, and that probably ended up being the difference between the two clubs. Unfortunately, this one has once again been tainted by some interesting refereeing decisions. The Morris tap in the first half is an interesting one. Even though Shayne Hayne said the penalty was for a marker not being square, he did signal an offside. Also, the Aidan Guerra try will be scrutinized, particularly after a very similar Tim Lafai try was disallowed last night. It didn't make a difference in the scoreline in the end, but it's another black mark against Shayne Hayne.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
78' Marshall with a chip kick, and Quinlan comes up with it. Dragons have shown more in the last 5 minutes than they have in the first 75. Nightingale goes with a grubber, but this one is out of bounds. That'll do it from Allianz. Roosters 30 Dragons 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Roosters 30 Dragons 22
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY DRAGONS 77' Benji Marshall with a beautiful pass to Dugan, who runs around to score under the posts!!! Roosters 30 Dragons 20
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
76' Josh Dugan is away now. He goes inside to Widdop, and he's tackled on the 10. Now they spread left, but the Roosters have men back now. Roosters penalised for offside now. Roosters 30 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
76' Just having some internet issues at the moment. Dragons blew a certain try after Quinlan came up with a dumb kick after he broke away. Roosters 30 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
74' Maloney goes high with his kick, but Quinlan comes through well to take that one. The Dragons need to play some risky football now. Roosters 30 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Roosters 30 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY ROOSTERS 72' No issue with the obstruction, but I'm not sure Jake Friend had control of that ball there. Regardless, a try is called. Roosters 28 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
VIDEO REF ROOSTERS 71' Roosters right on the attack here, as JWH is tackled 5 short of the line. Now Friend has a go from dummy-half, and he scores!!!! Just going to check a potential obstruction here. Roosters 24 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
70' Joel Thompson puts the ball down now, so the Roosters will get a chance to put this one away. Roosters 24 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Widdop makes no mistake from right in front Roosters 24 Dragons 16
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY DRAGONS 69' Marshall is there, and we have a game again!!! Roosters 24 Dragons 14
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
VIDEO REF DRAGONS 68' Merrin gets an offload away, but it's called back by a very early held call. Now Ah Mau with a good run on the right flank. Now Marshall spots a gap, and he goes straight through!!! He steps on the inside of Minichiello, and he may have scored here!!!! Roosters 24 Dragons 10
John
Guest
Wow Benji scores!
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
67' JWH gives up a penalty for a high shot here, so the Dragons will get good field position. Roosters 24 Dragons 10
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
65' Will that fire up the Dragons? They're not showing much in attack at the moment. De Belin centres the ball for the Dragons, and now they come to the right. Marshall throws a ball to Dugan, and now there's space. Nightingale ends up with it, and he throws the ball back inside. Dugan toes this one on, but it's too big, and it'll be a 20 metre tap. Roosters 24 Dragons 10