Neds Match Preview: Round 2
Wests Tigers will be looking to record their first win of the season when they host the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday — the club’s first home game of the year.
Following last week’s disappointing start to the season against the Canberra Raiders, coach Michael Maguire will be hoping for a much-improved performance from his squad as they host the ladder leaders, who thrashed Manly-Warringah by 42 points last Saturday.
Wests Tigers will receive a massive boost for the clash with five-eighth Adam Doueihi returning from suspension after the playmaker missed his side's season opener against the Raiders last Sunday.
Doueihi will link up with fellow half Luke Brooks, who will celebrate his 150th NRL game — becoming the first halfback to reach the milestone for the club.
150 games for Luke Brooks!
Wests Tigers recruit Daine Laurie has been named at fullback for the Round 2 match after he was impressive in his club debut last weekend. He’ll be eager for another good performance as he plays in his first home match for Wests Tigers.
Hooker Jacob Liddle will be aiming to build on his solid start to the season after he scored a try and made 51 tackles in an 80-minute performance at GIO Stadium in Round 1.
NRL.com preview Roosters clash
Maguire was impressed with his side’s defensive efforts in the opening 40 minutes last weekend — in which they only conceded one try — and he’ll be hoping they can replicate that effort over the course of the entire match this time around.
For the Sydney Roosters, coach Trent Robinson will be without a handful of key players due to suspensions and injuries.
State of Origin forward Angus Crichton will miss Sunday’s clash after being charged over a crusher tackle offence on Sea Eagles prop Taniela Paseka, while lock Victor Radley remains on the sidelines as he serves the second game of his suspension.
Roosters co-captain Jake Friend will also sit out after he suffered his third concussion in six months following clashing heads with Sea Eagles forward Andrew Davey in the Roosters’ win at the SCG. Robinson has named Freddy Lussick at hooker, while Nat Butcher will wear number 11 on his back.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, March 21, 2020
Time — 4:05pm AEDT
Venue — Campbelltown Sports Stadium
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers: Adam Doueihi returns from the shoulder charge suspension he incurred in the final game of 2020 and will slot in at five-eighth with Moses Mbye dropping to the bench and Daine Laurie retaining the fullback job. James Roberts' omission sees Tommy Talau move to centre and Michael Chee Kam called up.
Roosters: Exciting teenage playmaker Sam Walker is edging closer to a debut. Walker was named in the reserves but could be a late inclusion on the bench as a utility, although Drew Hutchison has been listed on the interchange to replace Adam Keighran (dislocated wrist). Freddy Lussick starts for Jake Friend while Nat Butcher moves into the starting side in place of Angus Crichton.
Match: Wests Tigers v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tommy TalauCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Asu KepaoaWinger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Lachlan Lam
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James TamouProp for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Roosters is number 9 Freddy Lussick
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Joe OfahengaueProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luke Garner2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex TwalLock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Moses MbyeInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Stefano UtoikamanuInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Fletcher Baker
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Michael Chee KamInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
EVENT DETAILS
3:00pm — Gates Open at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
4:05pm — NRL, Wests Tigers vs. Sydney Roosters
6:20pm — KOE NSW Cup, Western Suburbs Magpies vs. North Sydney Bears
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via Channel 9, FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.9 Triple M
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, Watch NRL (int.), Sky Sport (NZ only)
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H — Wests Tigers ($3.70), Sydney Roosters ($1.28)
Line — Wests Tigers (+11.5) $2.00, Sydney Roosters (-11.5) $2.00
Odds correct as of 1:30pm, Tuesday, 16th March. 18+ only, Gamble responsibly.
HISTORY
Head-to-Head — Played 35, Sydney Roosters 26, Wests Tigers 9
At Campbelltown Sports Stadium — Played 6, Sydney Roosters 4, Wests Tigers 4
Last Time They Met — Sydney Roosters 38 def. Wests Tigers 16 (Rd 15, 2020)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee — Adam Gee
Touch Judges — Phil Henderson & Jon Stone
Review Official — Steve Chiddy
