New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters 2014 NRL Round 24 preview, tips and teams

WARRIORS
The Warriors travelled to Newcastle last week as favourites and were expected to record their third win on a trot, when taking on the Knights but, unfortunately for punters who took their price, they fell short, losing 28 – 22.

It was the Warriors third loss from their past four away games so they’ll be happy to get back home to Mt. Smart Stadium where their record reads five wins from six matches.

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Only one of those Mt Smart victories has been against a top eight side (Penrith) and with the Warriors sitting precariously in eighth spot on the ladder, they’ll have to produce their absolute best to defeat the Roosters who will be looking for four straight wins.

Discipline cost the Warriors last week, with nine penalties and the same number of handling errors slowing their momentum at crucial stages.

They’ll have to remain focused here against the Roosters, the team that concede the most penalties in the competition, and be prepared to grind a win out here.

Returning for the Warriors is centre Konrad Hurrell, allowing Ben Henry to return to the forward back, giving the Warriors a more balanced look.

ROOSTERS
It took the Roosters the first half to warm up in the wet and cold conditions last week against the Tigers but when they did, they ran in seven second half tries to inflict more pain on the hapless Tigers, 48 – 4.

It continued a recent run of posting high scores for the Roosters with all but one of their last six matches, seeing them register at least 26 points.

The Roosters sit in fourth spot on the ladder but, with their final two rounds of the season being against Melbourne and South Sydney, the Roosters need to win this one if they are to remain in the top four.

Michael Jennings, who was first to score against the Tigers last week, has posted four tries in his three matches since returning from injury and should prove a handful for Warriors defence.

Mitch Aubusson will be the third hooker the Roosters have had to go to after the injury to Heath L’Estrange last week.

Aubusson whilst an accomplished player isn’t a specialised hooker and in what should be a tight contest, his performance could prove vital.

HEAD TO HEAD
These two clubs have taken it in turns of winning over the past few seasons and if that sequence is to continue, the Roosters will be winning here.

The Roosters have lost their last four visits to Mt. Smart Stadium however and unlike the last two weeks, cannot afford a slow start as the Warriors can skip away if given half a chance.

There’s no surprise to see nothing between these two clubs in terms of betting, it should be a close game.

Surprisingly for two strong attacking teams, only one of the past five matches has produced a total match score of greater than 35 points. The line for the match here is 42.5.

Teams:

Warriors: Sam Tomkins, David Fusitu’a, Konrad Hurrell, Ngani Laumape, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Thomas Leuluai, Ben Matulino, Ben Henry, Simon Mannering (c), Sebastine Ikahihifo.
Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Suaia Matagi, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Jayson Bukuya, Sam Rapira, Dominique Peyroux (three to be omitted).

Roosters: Anthony Minichiello (c), Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Mitchell Aubusson, Sam Moa, Boyd Cordner, Aidan Guerra, Frank-Paul Nu’uausala.
Interchange: Remi Casty, Isaac Liu, Dylan Napa, Kane Evans, Jackson Hastings (one to be omitted).

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