Last year’s Grand-finalists both had to produce last-minute tries in their respective games last week to record narrow and enthralling wins. The Roosters travelled north to Suncorp last week to take on the Broncos who had started the season 2 – 0.

$250 Sydney Roosters vs Manly Sea Eagles FREE BET

Despite the Broncos perfect record the Roosters, who had bounced back from an average performance against South Sydney in round 1 with a devastating 10 try to 1 victory over Parramatta in the second week, started the warm favourites. The Broncos scored first and early but the Roosters immediately struck back with a try to Michael Jennings – the second time this year he has opened the scoring for the Roosters.

This game was a real arm wrestle for the Roosters who only led briefly in the first half and with eight minutes to go in the match, found themselves behind by 8.

In a sign of a good team though, the executed a short-kickoff perfectly and were able to conjure up two late tries, the last going to a Boyd Corner in what has become a favourite play of the Roosters – a flat ball close to the line form half-back Mitchell Pearce.

The win was important as it gives the Roosters a bit of momentum and more importantly, belief moving forward that no matter what the situation, they’ll be able to produce the results.

Many expected Manly to walk over the Eels when the two sides met last week at Brookvale after the Eels where embarrassed 56 – 4 by the Roosters in Round 2.

It was going to plan early for the home-side when Steve Matai crossed in just the fourth minutes, the second time he has opened the scoring for the Sea Eagles, and with another to full-back Hiku later in the half, a 10 – nil halftime break was established.

In the second half though the Sea Eagles struggled for momentum and they missed the steadying influence and direction of five-eighth Keiran Foran who will also miss this game.

Uncharacteristically of their defence, they let the Eels run in four second half tries including one in the 72min which saw Manly behind 18 – 16.

As they did in the opening round against the Storm, the Sea Eagles were staring down the barrel of forfeiting another comfortable position at the half time break. Their second half performances are something that will have to be addressed as they have only produced three second half tries this season.

Ironically though, it was ex- Eels winger Cheyse Blair who knocked a Daly Cherry-Evans bombed to team-mate Steve Matai in the final minute of the game that saved the Sea Eagles. It was another tough game for the Sea Eagles. Their three matches this season have been decided by margins of 1, 2 and 4 points with each game going down to the wire. These two sides met three times last year with every clash resulting in a tough and physical encounter. The games were decided by 6, 4 and 8 points all in favour of the Roosters with only one of the past four encounters, producing in excess of 30 total match points.
Expect another tight contest here with the Roosters to continue their edge of the Sea Eagles.

TIP: ROOSTERS 1 – 12

Odds Comparison:

Sydney Roosters	1.45	1.45	1.44	1.45	1.45	1.48
Manly Sea Eagles	2.80	2.85	2.85	2.85	2.80	2.70

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, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Sam Moa, Boyd Cordner, Mitchell Aubusson, Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Aidan Guerra, Dylan Napa, Kane Evans, Siosiua Taukeiaho
Ins: Siosiua Taukeiaho
Outs: None
Other unavailables: Sonny Bill Williams (suspension, round five), Isaac Liu (knee, indefinite), Tautau Moga (knee, indefinite)

Manly Sea Eagles:
Peta Hiku, Cheyse Blair, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Josh Starling, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Anthony Watmough, Justin Horo, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: James Hasson, Dunamis Lui, Jamie Buhrer, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Tony Satini
Ins: Kieran Foran, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Tony Satini
Outs: Jason King (suspension, round five)
Other unavailables: Brett Stewart (hamstring, round five), Jorge Taufua (shoulder, round five), Tom Symonds (back, round five)