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Roosters
20
Match Complete
Dragons
10
| L. Mitchell |  | 77 | ||
| S. Taukeiaho |  | 76 | ||
| 53 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 52 | | M. Dufty | ||
| 47 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 32 | ||
| A. Crichton | | 31 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 16 | ||
| L. Mitchell | | 15 | ||
| L. Mitchell |  | 3 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons will square off in their traditional Anzac Day clash at the Cricket Ground, with both sides in good form and an intriguing contest on the cards. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4pm (AEDT).
Today is obviously not just about the rugby league as we pay our respects to those who served in war, and the moving Anzac service at the start of the game is one of the most spine-tingling moments you’re ever likely to witness as a sports fan.
As has been the case the last two years, both teams are in good form coming into the game, and it should be another belter.
The defending premiers have lost just one game this season – coming way back in Round 1 – and performed a first half ambush on the Melbourne Storm away from home last weekend.
It was one of the best halves of rugby league you’re ever likely to witness, and while they did fall away in the second 40 minutes, the tri-colours ended up winning in golden point with a Latrell Mitchell special.
However, the Roosters will be without Luke Keary this weekend, dragging Mitchell into the halves, and while Jake Friend does make his return, the kicking game could be significantly impacted this week, as could the left edge, where Mitchell has sparked plenty this season already.
It’s in the forwards where this game is likely to be won though. With both sides on short turnarounds, whoever has to do more defence early might struggle to get into the game.
The Dragons have won four straight now, but three of them have come down to the wire, while their only convincing win was against the battling Bulldogs.
That game saw their attack fire, but there are still plenty of issues in the backline, not least finding a good goalkicker.
Again though, it’s the forwards where this game will be won, and Paul Vaughan has a huge task to carry out in leading his side.
He has increased his output enormously this year, averaging over 170 metres per game, and alongside James Graham, the duo have been in fine form setting a platform, and creating time and space for Ben Hunt and Corey Norman to go to work in the halves.
The Dragons also have an outstanding Anzac Day record to carry them in this clash, having won 11 of the 17 meetings between the two sides on April 25, since the concept was launched in 2002.
Prediction
The Roosters are without Keary and a few others, and don’t have a great record on Anzac Day. Their might be some significant letdown factor after last weekend’s grand final rematch as well, so I’m taking the Red V.
Dragons by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this year’s Anzac Day Cup from 4pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
TV: Live, Fox League 502 and Nine Network
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital Pass, 9Now
Betting: Roosters $1.45, Dragons $2.90
Overall record: Played 39, Dragons 20, Roosters 18, drawn 1
Last meeting: 2018, Round 20 – Roosters 36 defeat Dragons 18 at Sydney Football Stadium
Last five: Roosters 3, Dragons 2
Record at venue: Played 2, Roosters 2, Dragons 0 (as St George Dragons: played 43, Roosters 22, Dragons 18, drawn 3)
Referees: Ben Cummins, Grant Atkins
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Mitchell Aubusson, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Latrell Mitchell, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Warea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Victor Radley
Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Poasa Faamausili, 17. Lachlan Lam, 18. Sam Verrills, 18. Sitili Tupouniua, 19. Lindsay Collins 20. Joshua Curran
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. James Graham, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Blake Lawrie
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore, 15. Zac Lomax, 16. Jacob Host, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Mitchell Allgood, 19. Jai Field, 20. Lachlan Timm, 21. Jonus Pearson
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