After falling just short of a victory in Round 5, the Roosters will get their shot at redemption against an in-form New Zealand Warriors side on Sunday afternoon.
The Roosters had a tough night out against the Melbourne Storm last week, and will be looking to turn things around this week at Mt Smart Stadium.
The Warriors boast plenty of attacking threats, and the Roosters will need to be at their defensive best if they’re to topple the up-tempo razzle dazzle Warriors.
KEY MATCH-UPS
1. Latrell Mitchell | Tuimoala Lolohea
2. Daniel Tupou | David Fusisu'a
3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall | Blake Ayshford
4. Dale Copley | Solomone Kata
5. Joseph Manu | Ken Maumalo
6. Ryan Matterson | Thomas Leuluai
7. Jackson Hastings | Shaun Johnson
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves | Albert Vete
9. Jake Friend (c) | Issac Luke
10. Sam Moa | Ben Matulino
11. Sio Siua Taukeiaho | Bodene Thompson
12. Mitchell Aubusson | Ryan Hoffman (c)
13. Dylan Napa | Simon Mannering
INTERCHANGE
14. Isaac Liu | Nathaniel Roache
15. Kane Evans | Sam Lisone
16. Connor Watson | Toafofoa Sipley
17. Chris Smith | Charlie Gubb
18. Mitchell Frei
Kiwis Delight: It’s a battle of superstar centres on Sunday, one with a wealth of representative experience and sure-to-be Kiwis sensation as Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Solomone Kata go head-to-head.
Kenny-Dowall makes his return to the centres after a small lay-off due to a foot injury.
His first task is anything but a breeze as he goes up against one of the most electric centres in the competition in Kata.
Veteran vs Veteran: The post re-signing celebrations won’t last long for Mitchell Aubusson as he prepares for a tough-it-out battle with opposing backrower and captain Ryan Hoffman.
With both teams boasting youth in their line-ups, these two are steady-headed and handymen that will be integral to their team’s chances of victory on Sunday.
Aubusson boasts a mobile style, with his hole-running and deceptive strength the definite highlights of his game.
Hoffman on the other hand plays a more up-the-guts no nonsense style of play, playing the role of a lock forward with the added benefit of playmaking.
LAST FIVE
2016 | Warriors DEF Roosters 32-28 | at Central Coast Stadium
2015 | Roosters DEF Warriors 24-0 | at Allianz Stadium
2015 | Roosters DEF Warriors 25-21 | at Mount Smart Stadium
2014 | Roosters DEF Warriors 46-12 | at Mount Smart Stadium
2013 | Warriors DEF Roosters 23-12 | at Allianz Stadium
HISTORY
Played – 36 | Roosters- 16 | Warriors- 19 | Draw- 1
VERCICT
After starting the season in similar fashion in 2016, the Warriors are starting to make a mid-season run towards the finals.
The Roosters have lots of work to do in order to come away from this one with a win, but recent history suggests that it’s far from impossible.
With a couple of new faces to the side and plenty of strike power all over the park, the Roosters have the side to get the job done this week.
