After being upset by the Dolphins in their season-opener last week, the Roosters will be eager to bounce back at home against a One New Zealand Warriors side which fought its way to victory over the Knights in round one.
Trent Robinson's players struggled to get things going in attack against the competition newcomers and shot themselves in the foot with a high error rate while, in addition to losing 12-28, they had both Victor Radley and Matt Lodge fail head injury assessments, with the latter now set to undergo surgery on a facial injury this week.
The One New Zealand Warriors on the other will be in high spirits after a 20-12 win in which they took the limited opportunities presented to them in attack and defended with true grit through prolonged periods camped in their own half.
All seven of their new signings played well, and in particular their new-look forward pack stood out, with all bar Marata Niukore in the starting unit running for over 100 metres.
The Roosters have won their last five games against the One New Zealand Warriors stretching back to 2018 but across their head-to-head history it's the New Zealand-based side which has a slight advantage, having won 22 of the 44 games, which includes one draw.
Match: Roosters v Warriors
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiCentre for Warriors is number 3 Brayden Wiliame
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay CollinsProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Fletcher BakerProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore
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Lock for Roosters is number 16 Naufahu WhyteLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jake TurpinInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Ben ThomasInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Corey AllanReplacement for Warriors is number 23 Bayley Sironen
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins
Last updated:
Team News
Roosters: A huge in for the Roosters with centre Joey Manu named to return from the facial fracture he suffered in the pre-season. Drew Hutchison goes back to the interchange bench and Corey Allan drops to 18th man. Fletcher Baker comes in for Matt Lodge, who has had surgery on a facial fracture suffered in round one. Lock Victor Radley and hooker Brandon Smith are going through return to play protocols after suffering head knocks against the Dolphins. Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) remains sidelined.
One New Zealand Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster has named an unchanged 17 on the back of a first-up win. Edward Kosi retains his place on the wing with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (calf) facing a month on the sideline. Bayley Sironen is listed among the reserves as he works his way back from a knee injury while Jazz Tevaga (hernia) remains sidelined but could be good to go in round three.
Stat Attack
- The One New Zealand Warriors completed 87 percent of their 39 sets against the Knights, the second best completion rate or round one (the Cowboys finished at 88 percent).
- The Roosters struggled to control the ball against the Dolphins, making 13 errors which was the equal highest tally in round one.
- Tohu Harris got through plenty in an 80-minute shift against the Knights, finishing with a game-high 51 tackles, running for 145 metres and racking up 70 NRL Fantasy points.
- The One New Zealand Warriors have lost their past six games in Sydney, while the Roosters won nine from 12 at home venues in 2022.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored nine tries in his past eight NRL games.
- The One New Zealand Warriors are aiming for a 2-0 start to the season for only the fourth time in their history.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
