The Roosters suffered their second defeat of the year last week in what was another epic arm-wrestle against Manly (8 – 0).
The Roosters, who had only 42% possession in the first half and not much more in the second, were forced to do an extraordinary amount of defensive work during the match, making almost 100 more tackles than their opponents.
$250 Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs FREE BET
Despite all the defensive work they were able to keep Manly to only six points for the majority of the match and in the 75th, looked to have levelled the scores and set up an enthralling finish when Rooster’s Centre Daniel Topou crossed.
The try was controversially disallowed by the Video Referee for obstruction.
It was a gallant effort by the Roosters given that the limited amount of ball that had and that they were on the wrong end of a lob-sided 11-2.
They Roosters have only been the first team to score once in there games this year and that resulted in a huge win over Parramatta. They’ll need to be quick out of the blocks against Canterbury this week who, like the Souths and Manly that have defeated the Roosters so far this season, possess a large forward pack capable of minimising the Roosters’ attack.
Canterbury will have their tails up after comprehensively defeating the Melbourne Storm 40 – 12 last week in Western Australia. It was the Bulldogs’ second win of the year and followed a heart-breaking after-the-siren loss to the Panthers in round 3.
The Bulldogs started slowly and trailed 12 – nil after the first fifteen minutes before two late first half tries, gave them the lead at half-time.
Canterbury controlled possession in the second half and dominated the play, running in five unanswered tries.
The first 20 mins of this game will be vital, with both forward packs looking to lay the platform in a game where points will be hard-earned.
For the Roosters, forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has taken an early plea for a high-shot last week and will miss the game but returning from suspension incurred in round 1, is Sonny Bill William.
The Roosters won both games between these two sides last year. Firstly by a comfortably 38 points in round six, which was flattered by a depleted Canterbury and secondly in round 15, a much closer 18 – 16 where several Roosters were backing up from the third State Of Origin.
The Roosters still haven’t quite hit top gear in attack but their defence has been rock-solid and will prove hard for the Bulldogs to penetrate.
TIP: ROOSTERS 1 – 12
Odds Comparison:
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| Sydney Roosters | 1.45 | 1.41 | 1.42 | 1.41 | 1.45 | 1.42 |
| Canterbury Bulldogs | 2.85 | 2.95 | 2.95 | 2.95 | 2.85 | 2.95 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Teams:
Sydney Roosters:
Anthony Minichiello (c), Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Dylan Napa, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Boyd Cordner, Sonny Bill Williams, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Aidan Guerra, Mitchell Aubusson, Kane Evans
Canterbury Bulldogs:
Sam Perrett, Corey Thompson, Josh Morris, Timoteo Lafai, Chase Stanley, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, James Graham, Frank Pritchard, Tony Williams, Dale Finucane. Interchange: Josh Jackson, Pat O’Hanlon, Tim Browne, David Klemmer, Moses Mbye, Greg Eastwood
