Expert
Bulldogs
12
Match Complete
Roosters
20
N. Meaney | 75 | |||
R. Smith | 75 | |||
59 | L. Mitchell | |||
58 | B. Morris | |||
N. Meaney | 56 | |||
R. Smith | 54 | |||
27 | L. Mitchell | |||
26 | J. Manu | |||
23 | L. Mitchell | |||
11 | L. Mitchell | |||
10 | J. Tedesco |
2 | Tries | 3 | ||
2 | Conversions | 3 | ||
0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
The Sydney Roosters have come away with an eight-point victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs at Homebush on Sunday afternoon.
While the Roosters were far and away the better of the two sides for the entirety of the contest, they struggled to make it all happen in attack, bombing plenty of opportunities to run up a similar score to the one they had last week against the Knights at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
A 14-0 lead at halftime might have looked impressive on paper, but the tri-colours could have easily ran in an extra four or five tries during the first 40, with their execution horrible in the face of some poor Canterbury defence.
The second half started as an arm-wrestle, with neither team able to break through, before Canterbury finally broke through with their opening points.
The joy lasted all of about ten seconds though, with Lachlan Lewis dropping the kick off and Josh Morris scoring on the other side of it to all but put the game away into the final 20 minutes.
The Roosters may have struggled on their execution, but their forward pack, led by Boyd Cordner, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho were the difference in today’s game as they dominated most of the proceedings up the middle third.
Final score
Bulldogs 12
Roosters 20
In what could be one of the more one-sided games of the 2019 season, the Canterbury Bulldogs will take on the Sydney Roosters at Homebush. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2pm (AEST).
After a slight lull through the Origin period, the Sydney Roosters, who had fallen to fourth on the ladder and currently sit third on for and against, found their mojo again last week.
While the first half wasn’t great, the second was and they galloped away from the Newcastle Knights as if it were a training drill, putting up points at ease.
It was an important win for the Roosters, given they had lost to the North Queensland Cowboys the week before, and answered any and all concerns pundits could have over the club as the competition motors towards September.
The tri-colours might aim to put the hammer down in this game and make another statement about their position, and they are in the ideal position to do it.
Luke Keary is back to his best, James Tedesco looked good on the back of Origin last weekend, and their forward pack just keeps on rolling, despite changes and injuries throughout the season.
They are the side who look most likely to challenge the Storm come September, while the Bulldogs are a side just scratching around and desperately trying to avoid the wooden spoon.
To be fair to Canterbury, this is the sort of season they were always going to have with a very young squad, although it’s maybe been worse than anyone might have pictured.
They continue to chop and change the side, and it’s hurt them big time.
As it stands, they have the third-worst defence in the competition, and the worst attack by over 60 points, which sums up exactly where Canterbury are.
If they can’t find a way to muscle up on their line against the at close to full strength Roosters, hold onto the footy and play the percentages, then this could be a very, very long afternoon.
Prediction
This really all depends on what sort of mood the Roosters are in. I’ve got a funny feeling they are going to put the hammer down and that this will be over by halftime.
Roosters by 28.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Round 19 NRL match from 2pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Homebush
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Roosters $1.15, Bulldogs $5.50
Overall record: Played 147, Roosters 89, Bulldogs 80, Drawn 5
Last meeting: Round 14, 2019 – Roosters 38 defeat Bulldogs 12 at Sydney Cricket Ground
Last five: Roosters 5, Bulldogs 0
Record at venue: Played 18, Bulldogs 11, Roosters 7
Referees: Adam Gee, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Meaney 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Will Hopoate 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jack Cogger 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Adam Elliott
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Chris Smith 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Kieran Foran 21. Jayden Okunbor 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Ryan Hall 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Victor Radley 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Sam Verrills 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Angus Crichton 17. Brett Morris 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Lachlan Lam 21. Billy Smith
Hide Preview