Sydney Roosters
28
Match Complete
Newcastle Knights
8
| A. Crichton |  | 76 | ||
| J. Tedesco |  | 70 | ||
| S. Tupouniua | | 69 | ||
| L. Lam | | 64 | ||
| D. Tupou | | 56 | ||
| J. Tedesco | | 37 | ||
| J. Manu | | 35 | ||
| S. Tupouniua | | 30 | ||
| 17 |  | J. Clifford | ||
| 15 | | J. Clifford | ||
| 13 | | J. Saifiti |
| 6 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
James Tedesco is back for the Sydney Roosters as they look to keep pressure on the top four with a win over the Newcastle Knights on Friday night. Tune into events from the Sunshine Coast with live scores on The Roar from 6pm (AEST).
They’ve consistently looked some distance off the pace of the NRL’s best and brightest this season, but discount the Roosters at your peril. Sitting fifth despite dealing with a wave of injuries and mid-season retirements, Trent Robinson’s team have some clean post-Origin air to begin turning the wheels of a late-season surge.
The Roosters swung a major surprise at the selection table, with veteran Josh Morris dropped back to the reserves following a loss of form. That means youngster Billy Smith keeps his spot in the centres alongside Joey Manu, who had been filling in as fullback for Tedesco.
The Knights are still well and truly in the hunt for finals, but last week’s 48-4 shellacking at the hands of the Storm showed just how far away they are from making any meaningful impact in September.
Kalyn Ponga is expected to play despite copping some brutal treatment at the hands of the Storm; while Daniel Saifiti returns from a rib injury that kept him out of Origin 3.
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Roosters $1.29, Knights $3.60 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco (c), 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Joey Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Drew Hutchison, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Sitili Tupouniua, 13. Victor Radley
Bench/Reserves: 14. Lachlan Lam, 15. Nat Butcher, 16. Egan Butcher, 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho | 18. Adam Keighran, 19. Fletcher Baker, 20. Josh Morris, 21. Ben Thomas
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Phoenix Crossland, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey (c), 10. Daniel Saifiti (c), 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson
Bench/Reserves: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Josh King, 17. Brodie Jones | 18. Jack Johns, 19. Simi Sasagi, 20. Tex Hoy, 21. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Nambawan
Roar Rookie
Newcastle would have to be the most boring side in the comp. Their forwards rarely pass and are bereft of ball skills. Just predictable one out bash and barge. Frankly the team seems to me to be inadequately coached.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I wonder if the Roosters have named the same 17 two weeks in a row? Not going to happen next week with Smith and Iku both goneski.
Watda
Guest
You are talking something but...at the end of the day roosters rule...don’t listen to the dhead’s
Clint
Roar Rookie
Yes. On tackle 1. In own half. All 6 agains are nor created equal
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
Well played Knights. Definitely had your chances but poor execution and decision making let you down again. It’s tough to see as you have the cattle (at least on paper) to make a decent run at it and Knights are my second team (although not when you’re playing against my first team obviously) but just can’t quite get it right at the moment. For the Roosters, barring an all time Bradbury, we won’t win the comp this year. But god damn I’m proud of the team and their attitude. It feels like some (but definitely not all) of the commentary from fans has changed from ‘f the Roosters’ to begrudging respect for the system we have - although it’s still definitely begrudging respect with a strong side of ‘f the Roosters’. With some of the young guys coming through and some absolute top tier players coming back from injury next year, I’m very optimistic about the next few years.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
You're a gentleman Phil. I always watch to the bitter end no matter what the result. I blame my Dae.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Congrats Birthday Suit, Pickett, Dutski, Noosa duck, Clint?, Roosters are impressive. AND now looking at a top 4 chance given Eels have a death run home. Chooks, Eels and Manly will all finish around 30/32/34 – thus the crucial games are the ones where they play each other (Eels play both the other 2) AND Raiders who meet both Sea Eagles and chooks. 4- 6 is up for grabs. commiserations and back to the drawing board for the Knights. It will take more than Gagai to get you into the 8 next year.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
They’ve lost the plot at that Club. Very dispiriting.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
9 to 3 to Roosters, but penalties 5 to 2 to Knights
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Birthday Suit, talking of brown paper bags the last bastion was the Grotto Capri at Kensington.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Great player in an ordinary side
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Great minds...
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Knights offered nothing in attack at all
R N
Roar Rookie
:laughing: yep might be a tough watch! I think I overheard that Granville is starting at fullback. Is that legit?
Phil
Roar Rookie
Chin up Jimmmy, you never know what will happen. Remember, the longer the winning run, the closer the loss and Melbourne have won 14 on the trot so are getting closer to the loss.
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
Yea that’s exactly who I was thinking of too. If I recall correctly Manu signed his last contract (3 years ~600k a year I think) literally in the middle of the whole Latrell fiasco. I remember speaking to a mate and saying ‘would love Latrell to stay, but the way Manu dealt with his own contract negotiation makes me think we’ve kept the right centre’. I’m not sure if Manu will ever have the same game breaking ability of Latrell, but all things considered, I know who I’d prefer for the Roosters.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
We'll sit graciously in opposite corners :thumbup: . I get what you are saying and there are other issues (6 again, game speed, selective reffing) that impact the huge score differential. But I stick by - if you don't think you are in with a chance you don't make the necessary effort or risks to make it a contest.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Tedesco rightly gets plenty of attention but Manu is close to being their best every week
76