Saturday second NRL match for Finals Week 3 is between Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights with the opening kick to commence at 7:45pm local time. The game is to be played at Allianz Stadium with the favourite for the match being Sydney Roosters. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.

WHERE AND WHEN: Allianz Stadium, Saturday 7:45pm AEST

Opening Odds Comparison:

Sydney Roosters	1.35	1.33	1.30	1.33	1.35	1.34
Newcastle Knights	3.30	3.45	3.60	3.45	3.30	3.25

Preview:

The Roosters take on the Knights on Saturday, 7.30pm at Allianz Stadium. While this game shares some similarities to the Friday night game, this clash throws up a very different scenario. The Roosters will be big favourites to win here, after a killer season and a great start to their finals campaign. However, the Knights have nothing to lose and a lot of faith in themselves with Wayne Bennett behind them pulling the strings.

While not many people would have predicted this match-up a few weeks ago, it throws up an intriguing scenario. The Knights are on fire after beating the Storm at home and the Roosters can’t take anything for granted. No-one expected the Knights to make it this far and the Roosters are probably as surprised as anyone else that they aren’t playing Melbourne this weekend, something that could favour the Knights. Saying that however, Sydney are a professional side and should be well rested after a week off.

Lots of people have their money on the Roosters to take the title this year, after a great end to the season and lots of outstanding performances. They have the best defence in the competition and have not conceded a single point in their past 124 minutes of play. They also have a great record at Allianz, having won 11 of 13 finals played there since the turn of the century.

There are lots of things to keep your eyes on during this match, but the biggest match-up would have to be between Sonny Bill Williams and Willie Mason. These former Bulldogs clubmates have a lot of recent history, and big clashes between them are almost guaranteed. While the Roosters will be expected to win here, the Knights might just have some more surprises up their sleeve.

Teams:

Sydney 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, Mitchell Aubusson, Isaac Liu, Luke O’Donnell, Dylan Napa, Martin Kennedy (two to be omitted)

Newcastle Knights
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Joey Leilua, Dane Gagai, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, David Fa’alago, Danny Buderus, Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith
Interchange: Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Alex McKinnon

We have nothing to hide, say Roosters

Two days before their NRL preliminary final, the Sydney Roosters claim they have nothing to hide after reports the club sacked a sports nutrition company after six players returned blood tests with elevated readings for Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

Fairfax Media reported details of the players’ blood test results were found on the phone of an organised crime figure after being seized by law enforcement officers.

The firm, Nubodi, was hired by the club last year in an attempt to finetune detox diets.

Boyd Cordner, Sam Moa and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck were three players named in the report who had elevated HGH levels.

The trio were later re-tested by the club, with those blood tests not returning elevated levels of HGH and there is no suggestion any player acted improperly.

“As is the case with all clubs, players have been regularly and extensively tested throughout the season by ASADA and the club has fully cooperated with the organisation’s routine tests,” a club statement said.

“In relation to matters raised in the media today, there has been full voluntary disclosure with the NRL’s Integrity Unit over many months and the club has not been contacted by ASADA.

“We reinforce that the club maintains the absolute highest standards in its own policies and governance and, as a club, we have nothing to hide.”

The Roosters, who finished the season as minor premiers and are favourites to take out the premiership in a fortnight, informed the integrity unit of the unusual test results midway through this season.

Sean Carolan, who runs Nubodi, denied the inconsistent growth hormones among some tested players was a result of taking illegal supplements.

HGH is banned by ASADA as it is used to strengthen connective tissue which reduces the probability of injury.

The Roosters face Newcastle on Saturday night in a preliminary final, with the winner to progress to the grand final on October 6.