Saturday second NRL Finals Week 3 match 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 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 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

Friend ready to end Buderus’ NRL fairytale

Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend is out to bring an end to the John Farnham-like farewell tour of former Australia and NSW State of Origin captain Danny Buderus once and for all in Saturday night’s NRL preliminary final.

Nobody has played more games for Newcastle than Buderus, so it’s no surprise the 35-year-old has been the town and club’s feel-good story during their run to the penultimate week of the season.

The league’s oldest player first said his final goodbye to the Knights in 2008 when he signed up with UK Super League side Leeds for what was intended to be the final chapter of a distinguished career.

Instead he returned to the NRL last year at the request of supercoach Wayne Bennett.

He announced this season would be his last but, having gotten the better of Canterbury’s Michael Ennis and Melbourne’s Cameron Smith in successive finals clashes, the Knights’ campaign just keeps on going.

“He thinks it’s a bit of a gee up at the moment. We just keep saying `come on Beds, one more week, one more week,” teammate Matt Hilder said.

“The boys really want to do really well for him, because he’s such a good fellow and he’s done so much for the club. To send him out on a good note would be great.”

Friend will be the latest No.9 villain in the Knights’ fairytale run from seventh place when he locks horns with a former idol at Allianz Stadium on the weekend.

“Definitely (he is someone I looked up to). He’s one of the best hookers that has played rugby league I think,” Friend said.

“He showed that the other night, he was really good against the Storm. I’m looking forward to the battle.”

Friend said he was not surprised Buderus was still going strong at age 35, and that he still posed threats in every aspect of the game.

“Nearly everything I suppose,” Friend said of Buderus’ strengths.

“He knows the game really well and his pressure out of dummy-half and his vision has been unreal.

“He’ll be one of their go-to men I’m sure. We’ll be doing everything we can to stop him.”

The Roosters are short-priced favourites to advance to next Sunday’s grand final, but Friend insisted they would not be taking the Knights lightly.

“They were impressive (against Melbourne) and it’s going to be a tough game,” he said.