New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters preview – NRL 2013 Round 2
Joseph
The second of tonight’s NRL matches is between New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters. The opening kick is set to commence at 7:30pm local time with the match being played at Eden Park in New Zealand. View our match preview including teams and odds.
Round: Round 2, Saturday 7.30pm (NZ) Stadium: Eden Park
Watch Out Warriors: The Warriors’ edge defence remains a huge concern for the home side after Parramatta tore them apart out wide last weekend. In 2012 they conceded just 15 tries through the middle – the sixth best record in the NRL – but let in 56 on the edges and a further 38 out wide on the sidelines. While their left-side defence was the bigger problem last season, it was their right side that caused issues against Parramatta who crossed for five of their eight tries there. And with Michael Jennings lurking on the Roosters’ left they can expect plenty more questions to be asked this Saturday.
Watch Out Roosters: Although their ball security was sorely lacking at times last week, the Warriors showed enough intent to suggest that they are working towards the same style of game that suited them so well in 2011.
The Warriors are at their best when keeping the ball alive and running teams ragged around the rucks and even though they were carved to pieces by Parramatta they still produced 10 offloads to the Eels’ three. In fact, only three teams – Penrith, Cronulla and the Gold Coast – produced more in Round 1. If they can pick their moments better they could cause plenty of headaches for the visitors.
Plays To Watch: The Roosters’ two tries against South Sydney came in remarkably similar fashion and both on their left-hand edge.
The play begins with a play-the-ball to the right-hand side of the posts and Roosters players set deep to the left. As the ball comes from dummy-half to halfback Mitchell Pearce, they put bodies in motion with the obvious option being to spread the ball wide through the hands. However, in both tries last Thursday it was a surprise short ball that resulted in the try. The first saw Pearce look to hit a flying Frank-Paul Nuuausala with a short, flat pass – the ball taking a deflection for James Maloney to cross. The second saw Pearce send the ball wider to Nuuausala at second receiver, who in turn gave the short, flat pass for Sonny Bill Williams to stroll across.
Key Match-Up: Konrad Hurrell v Michael Jennings. Man mountain Hurrell gave the Roosters nightmares in this clash last season, scoring two barnstorming first-half tries and causing them all manner of headaches on the right edge; however he faces a very different opponent this time around in new recruit Michael Jennings. A classic clash of raw power v speed and footwork, this is shaping as one of the great one-on-one battles.
Where It Will Be Won: Edge defence is the key. A weakness of both sides in 2012 and again last week when they were regularly exposed, the winner of this match is less likely to come down to who throws the most at their opponent as which side deals with it the best.
Rest assured that if the Warriors defend like they did last week they will be found wanting – but let’s not forget that South Sydney also scored four of their five tries out wide to the left, including a hat-trick to Nathan Merritt.
The History: Played 30; Warriors 17, Roosters 12, drawn 1. In addition to leading the all-time record the Warriors boast 10 wins to four losses on home soil. The Warriors have won six of the past eight clashes.
Match Officials: Referees – Ashley Klein & Phil Haines; Sideline Officials – Adam Reid & Shane Rehm; Video Referees – Paul Mellor & Luke Patten.
Televised: Fox Sports 1HD – Live 5.30pm AEDT.
The Way We See It: Even on home soil, it’s tough to back the Warriors right now. Having lost eight games in a row to finish their 2012 season, they showed no signs of improvement against Parramatta and will need to convince us that they’ve turned the corner before we start throwing tips their way!
Teams:
WARRIORS:
Kevin Locke, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Bill Tupou, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Elijah Taylor, Ben Matulino, Steve Rapira, Simon Mannering (C), Todd Lowrie
Interchange: Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Pita Godinet, Ben Henry (one to be omitted)
ROOSTERS:
Anthony Minichiello, Daniel Tupou, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Aidan Guerra, Sonny Bill Williams, Frank-Paul Nuuausala Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Martin Kennedy, Mitchell Aubusson, Luke O’Donnell, Boyd Cordner, Dylan Napa (two to be omitted)
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