The Sydney Roosters will try and break through the red hot and resilient St George Illawarra Dragons at their traditional Anzac Day memorial clash at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:00pm AEST.
The NRL is holding a blockbuster billing of match ups on Anzac Day to honour and commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
A mainstay of the NRL draw since 2002, recent years have seen the low lying Dragons outfit drop five in a row to the premiership heavyweights from Bondi. Roles, at least for now, have reversed with the Dragons flying high, breathing fire over the NRL.
Roosters come into this match on the back of three straight losses and whilst they aren’t playing embarrassingly, they will want to turn around their fortunes this week and put those all important two points in the bank.
They will have to do so without Kiwi enforcer Jared Warea-Hargeaves who will be on the sidelines for a pec strain (six weeks) but will welcome back compatriot wrecking ball Sam Moa to replace him.
The Roosters field arguably the most potent attacking team in the competition and have so far racked up a competition high 154 points this season (22 per game). With the former State of Origin half pairing of James Maloney and Mitch Pearce being the most effective this year thus far.
The Roosters attacking successes are unsurprising when you consider they have the likes of Michael Jennings and Boyd Cordner running lines and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck lurking around the back.
This impressive offensive will meet the most impressive defensive fortress in the NRL. The Dragons unchanged 17 will again look to turn away their counterparts time and time again with the robust defence that has seen them win five straight.
The resurgence of the Dragons as a legitimate top ranking team has been on the back of their defensive efforts, seeing them returning to the kind of football that took them all the way in 2010.
As the saying goes, styles make fights, and the match up between the competitions best attacking and defensive outfits is sure to deliver a high quality spectacle fitting of the day.
The Dragons have been the success story of the season with their impressive streak garnering deserved attention. Despite their great form, they will have a tough test turning away the Roosters time and time again. The Roosters should be hungry to regain some momentum and will lift for the occasion, look for them to take home the points in a close and hard fought encounter.
Prediction: Roosters by 4
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah, tell that to the refs and the NRL, they penalise and put anyone on report for touching on any part above the shoulders and anyone that goes down (like soccer players do) and puts on an act. It happened in the Raiders vs Rabbitohs game today.
joister
Guest
and the dragons forced a number of those mistakes - whilst a roosters supporter i giving credit to the dragons for playing a strong game and a blwdy good kicking game - something we miss
joister
Guest
how about the ball falling on the sideline just behind the goal post?
Smell the fear
Guest
How about the dragons try?
Elma Dudd
Guest
Massive concerns for the Roosters , poor completion and huge error rate , they beat themselves .
Scott Pryde
Expert
Go the Saints! 6 in a row.
joister
Guest
if they went upstairs for that then they should have gone upstairs for the Tupou ball where that looked to fall onto the sideline - anyways the better team won and it was a good thing that it didn't affect that the better and more deserved team won
ben baker
Guest
Ref doesn't make a high tackle mistake roosters win !!!!! It's not touch football as soon as some one get hits at chest height it's a penalty these days dissapointing
James Cairns
Roar Guru
Thanks all for joining me on that marathon live blog, hope you enjoy the next two NRL ANZAC games! What a day.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
FULL TIME. ROOSTERS 12 DRAGONS 14 What a remarkable game. Closely fought and exciting contest on the field, with the weather adding to the spectacle. I hope all those effected by the storm are okay and any damage is small. Dragons were very impressive, they played brilliantly across the park. Benji Marshall takes out the Man of the Match and deservedly so, he has matured greatly since returning to the code. Roosters weren't bad by any stretch, but failed to put attack together and neither Pearce nor Maloney made a compelling case for themselves. Dragons are a legitimate heavyweight this season. If they continue to play with the same spirit, they will find themselves in good stead come seasons end. Roosters have slid to four losses in a row, but shouldn't be too concerned as their last three losses were very close. It was an excellent game and spectacle for the traditional ANZAC day clash. Lest we forget.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's enjoyable watching the Dragons play.
jamesb
Guest
Six in a row baby!
James Cairns
Roar Guru
79' - Dugan cleans up a grubber in behind and the DRAGONS WIN. ROOSTERS 12 DRAGONS 14
James Cairns
Roar Guru
77' KNOCK ON from Jennings to spoil a perfect chance to take the game. My heart is racing as an impartial viewer! ROOSTERS 12 DRAGONS 14
James Cairns
Roar Guru
76' - KNOCK ON. Kane Evans runs soft and gets punished, big mistake for the Roosters. ROOSTERS 12 DRAGONS 14
Whites
Guest
Justice.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
74' - Roosters playing with great energy now as the intensity of the occasion hits them. Friend earns them a REPEAT SET. Can the Red V Wall be toppled? ROOSTERS 12 DRAGONS 14
John
Guest
Never seen Benji this solid. Wow.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
70' - Clever work from RTS to catch the Dragons pack unawares off the quick tap. Maloney with the CONVERSION to make it a two point game! What a fitting spectacle for the occasion. ROOSTERS 12 DRAGONS 14
James Cairns
Roar Guru
70 - PENALTY. Roosters get another set and they score! TRY to Tuivasa-Scheck off the tap. ROOSTERS 10 DRAGONS 14