It’s Round 6 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, and this week the Roosters head to enemy territory for a clash against traditional arch-rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs.
After a disappointing loss to the Rabbitohs in Round 1, the Roosters should pretty well know what to expect of this talented and big pack.
The Rabbitohs got the better of the Roosters on that occasion, but the Roosters are keen to right the wrongs from that clash.
It’s a short turnaround for the Roosters this week, and a big effort will be necessary if the boys want to come away from this one with two key competition points.
1 Latrell Mitchell | 1 Greg Inglis (c)
2 Daniel Tupou | Bryson Goodwin
3 Brendan Elliot | Kirisome Auva'a
4 Blake Ferguson | Hymel Hunt
5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall | Aaron Gray
6 Jayden Nikorima | Cody Walker
7 Jackson Hastings | Luke Keary
8 Sam Moa | George Burgess
9 Jake Friend (c) | Cameron McInnes
10 Dylan Napa | Sam Burgess
11 Mitchell Aubusson | Chris Grevsmuhl
12 Aidan Guerra | Kyle Turner
13 Sio Siua Taukeiaho | Nathan Brown
Interchange
14 Isaac Liu | Damien Cook
15 Kane Evans | Jason Clark
16 Mitchell Frei | David Tyrrell
17 Eloni Vunakece | Thomas Burgess
KEY MATCH-UPS
Following an impressive performance against the New Zealand Warriors last Sunday afternoon, Jackson Hastings faces a different kind of talent this weekend.
Luke Keary made his debut for the Rabbitohs in 2013 and had an immediate impact, earning wraps from critics and fans alike.
The young five eighth is currently playing at halfback in place of the injured Adam Reynolds and doing a fine job for his team.
With Hastings improving every week, there’s no doubt he’ll be up to the task against the deceptive speed and play-making ability of Keary.
The Burgess brothers are back in action in 2016, with Sam returning to the Club after a short rugby union stint in the UK.
There aren’t many bigger forwards than the Burgess boys, but a man who is keen to match their intensity is Roosters forward Sam Moa.
Moa is a mobile forward that has made a consistent impact for the Roosters over his four seasons at the Club.
His form to start the 2016 season has seen him earn a spot in the starting line-up, and he’ll be needed more than ever this weekend.
It’s going to take a big effort from Moa, but his running game and strength are going to be vital against the big South Sydney forwards.
LAST FIVE v Rabbitohs
2016: Rabbitohs def. Roosters | 10-42 at Allianz Stadium
2015: Roosters def. Rabbitohs | 30-0 at Allianz Stadium
2015: Rabbitohs def. Roosters | 34-26 at ANZ Stadium
2014: Roosters def. Rabbitohs | 24-18 at Allianz Stadium
2014: Rabbitohs def. Roosters | 28-8 at ANZ Stadium
VERDICT
The consistently improving Roosters are looking for their maiden win of season 2016, and they have a good chance to do so if they continue to improve in Round 6.
A win isn’t easy to come across in this competition, and like every week in the NRL it will be no different this week.
If the Roosters can match the Rabbitohs forwards in both intensity and creativity, the Roosters will level the series on Friday night.
