Saturday’s second NRL Round 17 match is between Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks with the opening kick to commence at 19:30 local time. The game is to be played at Allianz Stadium which see’s home team Sydney Roosters hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks.
Where and when: 19:30 | Saturday 05/07/2014 @ Allianz Stadium
Preview:
The Roosters had been sailing along nicely in the past two months.
Limited Origin impact on their starting line-up and a favourable draw that saw them meet several top sides minus their Origin stars; had the Roosters boasting seven wins from eight games.
Last week’s clash, against a full strength Manly side at Brookvale, was going to be the real litmus test on just how well the Roosters are travelling – and they almost passed.
Although trailing for the majority of the match, the Roosters were always in the hunt and made the Sea Eagles earn their 24 -16 win the hard way.
The Roosters had their chances but some poor execution at the end of the sets, let Manly off the hook.
It will have given the Roosters a real gauge on where they stand and on what aspects of their game they have to improve, if they are to defend their Premiership successfully.
SHARKS
Even when the Sharks win, they can’t escape being in the media for all the wrong reasons!
After a stunning come-from-behind victory over Brisbane last week, only their third win for the season and their first since round 8, all involved at the struggling Sharks club could enjoy some positive news and revel in an all too rare win.
Forty-hours later though, it all came crashing back down to earth – harder than before – with Todd Carney, who had orchestrated their Brisbane win, sacked from the club for offensive public behaviour.
It was enough for interim Coach Peter Sharp, who was criticised by club captain Paul Gallen last week for not giving 100%, to hand in his resignation and walk away from the beleaguered club.
What a mess!
This week they’ll be without Gallen and Lewis (Origin) whilst there’s a string of chances to accommodate Carney’s absence.
HEAD TO HEAD
When the two sides met back in round 7 at Remondis Stadium, it was an unconvincing 24 – 18 win to the Roosters.
It was the start of the Roosters finding their form after a slow start to the season however and they haven’t looked back from that match, losing only two of their next eight games – both away to Cowboys and Manly.
When they met at Allianz Stadium last year, it was a Roosters white-wash (40 – 0) and given the events at the Sharks club this week, expect something similar to happen again here.
Tips: ROOSTERS 19 +
Teams:
ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello (c), Nene Macdonald, Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce (vc), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (vc), Jake Friend (vc), Sam Moa, Dylan Napa, Sonny Bill Williams, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Isaac Liu, Remi Casty, Heath L’Estrange, Kane Evans, Siosiua Taukeiaho.
SHARKS: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele, Jacob Gagan, Fa’amanu Brown, Jeff Robson, Siosaia Vave, Michael Lichaa, Bryce Gibbs, Anthony Tupou, Wade Graham (c), Tinirau Arona. Interchange: Tupou Sopoaga, Sam Tagatasese, Junior Roqica, Tim Robinson, Sione Masima, Pat Politoni.
News:
A burning desire to whitewash arguably the greatest-ever rugby league team is behind NSW players’ intensity ahead of the third State of Origin game.
After eight successive series losses, the Blues head to Brisbane for the July 9 encounter at Suncorp Stadium with an unassailable 2-0 lead and are 80 minutes away from etching their names in the record books as only the fourth team to record a clean sweep.
Coach Laurie Daley’s insistence on moving the team’s base to Coffs Harbour and adopting a zero tolerance to bad off-field behaviour have been well documented and proved to be the key to ending Queensland’s dominance.
But prop James Tamou said it would all be for nothing if the team let themselves down by taking their foot off the pedal in game three.
“We’ve spoken about creating our dynasty and what better way of starting that with a 3-0 win,” Tamou told AAP.
The North Queensland star also believes coming away from Brisbane with victory over a team containing potential future Immortals in Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston will put this NSW side up there with one of the best ever.
“If you look at their team and the number of world-class players in it, it’s scary,” Tamou said.
“To beat a team with all those players in a series is such a great achievement, but to win it three-nil would be incredible for everyone involved in this team.”
There have been only been seven Origin whitewashes since the concept became a three-match series in 1982, two years after its inception.
Queensland have completed four of them – the last taking place in 2010. NSW last achieved the feat in 2000.
However, the only times the Blues have prevailed twice in Brisbane was in 1996 and 1986, and NSW vice-captain Robbie Farah expects trying to emulate that feat to be the toughest test of the series.
“No way they’ll want to lose three-nil,” Farah said.
“Everyone is talking about how their run is over but they’ll have a point to prove.”
Farah was one of seven players who played in game two who was over 30, along with Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Ryan Hoffman, Beau Scott and Anthony Watmough, and he admits never winning an Origin series had crossed his mind.
“With every year that passes we kind of let another opportunity slip,” Farah said.
“You aren’t getting any younger, you kind of always have that doubt.
“But you don’t lose belief. You continue to work hard.
“Laurie has done a great job instilling the belief, and believing his plan.
“We knew from day one that if we believed in his vision what he wanted us to do he’d have success. I think with the way we’ve played it’s been a reflection on his leadership.”
