The Sydney Roosters are searching for top spot, and will fancy their chances against a disappointing Wests Tigers side who looms at the opposite end of the table. Join The Roar from 7:35pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Sydney are the in-form team in the competition, taking out a solid Warriors side last week, and, more impressively, not allowing them near the scoreboard, with the match ending 24-0.
They haven’t lost in six matches, and have obviously formed a strong defensive unit heading into the latter end of the season, as they’ve only conceded three tries in the past three matches.
Clearly the Tigers will need to pull out a huge performance as they look to claw their way off the bottom of the table, and will need big contributions from Aaron Woods and Martin Taupau, as well as full-back James Tadesco – arguably one of the best full-backs in the competition.
Look out for Pat Richards and Blake Furguson for the Roosters – two in-form players for their in-form cub.
Betting against the Roosters in this one seems foolish, with the Roosters at 1.15 to win, and the Tigers at 5.80. However, the Tigers don’t deserve the wooden spoon this year, and have the potential to cause an upset.
They’ve put in some great performances this season, intertwined with some very poor displays. They convincingly beat the Eels in Round 6, the Bulldogs in Round 8, and then the Rabbitohs in Round 14, showing what they’re capable of. But otherwise it’s been a poor season for the Tigers.
With a mixture of youth and experience, they’ve missed their captain Robbie Farah, who they’ll be without once again tonight.
Prediction
The Wests Tigers won’t be strong enough tonight against a resolute Roosters defence. It may turn out to be a low scoring affair though, with the Roosters struggling to score more then 24 points a game for the majority of their matches this season.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Full Time Maloney converts on the buzzer as the Roosters ease there way past the Tigers. The Tigers played extremely well during the first half, but dropped off in the second with more and more mistakes turning a good start into another disastrous performance. A strong match from Maloney and Elliot tonight, with two tries each. Thanks for tuning in, I'll see you next week. Sydney Roosters 33-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79' - Scrum for Tigers now. ELLIOT TRY!! Lovett knocks on and Elliot collects and uses his speed to put the ball between the sticks. Sydney Roosters 31-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
78' - Roosters win the scrum for a bad tackle, and they're looking in the mood for another. Brooks to Cordner, who was tackled a metre before the line. Knock on by Hargreaves now. Sydney Roosters 27-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
76' - Big fight holds up play. Sydney Roosters 27-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
74' - Pat Richards kicks again out on the full from the restart. That's the second of the night. Roosters with a strong set of six. Sydney Roosters 27-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
72' - Another 2 for Maloney - 15 out and he had all the space in the world to line up his kick on his left foot and get the field goal. Sydney Roosters 28-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
70' - Friend over the line but doesn't get the ball down as Taupau wraps him up. Sydney Roosters 26-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
68' - Napa taken down for Roosters on the 4th just shy of halfway. They've made 57m - relentless. Sydney Roosters 26-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
66' - Maloney converts his own from in front. Big match from him tonight. Sydney Roosters 26-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
64' - Maloney TRY! Tigers weak through the middle and Maloney receives the offload, then, despite the strong Tackle from Brooks, his momentum takes him over the line. Sydney Roosters 24-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
62' - Tigers look like they're firing again. We're in for an exciting last 20 if they can get a converted try soon. Sydney Roosters 20-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
60' - Richards couldn't convert from the wing though. Sydney Roosters 20-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
56' - TRY TIGERS! Richards spins over the line after quick release from Simona. Great play Tigers. Haven't seen too much of Richards tonight, so it's good to see him get the better of young Elliot. Sydney Roosters 20-8 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
57' - Good speed from Tuivasa-Sheck to collect a great kick which made its way into the Roosters in-goal. Sydney Roosters 20-4 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
56' - Tigers with the ball on their defensive 20. Struggling to string together solid spouts of possession. Sydney Roosters 20-4 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
56 Maloney converts from in front of the goal. It's the story of the Tigers season - they haven't played obviously bad, but somehow find themselves 16 points behind after a solid first half performance. Sydney Roosters 20-4 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
55' - MOA TRY!! Roosters on fire in the second half Sydney Roosters 18-4 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
54 Huge play from Roosters. The first Line Break from the Roosters made it 40 metres, before Maloney stopped him. Jennings then showed his quick feet with another line break in the next play, and now they've earnt a penalty on the attacking 20. Sydney Roosters 14-4 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
52' - Nofoaluma receives on the left side on defensive 20 for Tigers. Tadesco then looks for a gap with some quick feet but couldn't find any way through. Roosters have bolstered up since half time, whereas the Tigers look more frail. Sydney Roosters 14-4 West Tigers
James Anderson
Roar Guru
50' - Roosters on the defensive ten for the first tackle. Sydney Roosters 14-4 West Tigers