With a return to the Sydney Cricket Ground and the chance to celebrate the career of inspirational captain Jake Friend, the Sydney Roosters will be primed to produce a perfect performance against a Brisbane Broncos side desperate to get their season back on track.
Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos
Round 11 will mark the 54th match between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos since their entry into the top-flight competition in 1988.
Although Brisbane hold a better overall record, with the Roosters winning 22 matches (42%), the Red, White and Blue recorded their two biggest victories over their Queensland-based opponents in 2020, winning 59-nil in Round 4 and 58-12 in the return match in Round 16.
The ledger has been fairly even in recent years, with the sides sharing the spoils over the last ten matches with five wins each, while the Tricolours have won three of the past four encounters.
The Roosters will be looking to back up their Magic Round effort against the Cowboys with a win, as they return home to the SCG for the first time since Round 7, while the Broncos are aiming for their third win of the season.
How They Line Up
For the first time in months, Trent Robinson will have the luxury of naming the same starting seventeen that was victorious in Magic Round against the Cowboys, headed by captain James Tedesco at fullback.
Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu, Josh Morris and Matt Ikuvalu make up the rest of the backline, while Lachlan Lam and Sam Walker pair up in the halves for the second week in a row.
Match: Roosters v Broncos
Round 11 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Broncos is number 1 Jamayne Isaako
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Broncos is number 2 Xavier Coates
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Broncos is number 4 Jesse Arthars
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Centre for Roosters is number 21 Joseph SuaaliiCentre for Broncos is number 19 Dale Copley
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Matt IkuvaluWinger for Broncos is number 5 David Mead
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Lachlan LamFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Albert Kelly
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Tyson Gamble
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Ben MarschkeHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jake Turpin
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Isaac LiuProp for Broncos is number 10 Payne Haas
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Keenan Palasia
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Broncos is number 13 Thomas Flegler
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Adam KeighranInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Kobe Hetherington
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Broncos is number 15 John Asiata
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Siosiua TaukeiahoInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Rhys Kennedy
Reserves
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Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Egan ButcherReserve for Broncos is number 18 Teui Robati
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Isaac Liu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves make up the front row alongside Ben Marschke at hooker, while Sitili Tupouniua, Angus Crichton and Victor Radley once again line up to round off the forward pack.
The bench compromises of utility Adam Keighran, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Nat Butcher and Siosiua Taukeiaho.
Naufahu Whyte, Fletcher Baker, Egan Butcher and Joseph Suaalii round off the extended bench.
The Brisbane Broncos have gone with a drastic change in the halves with crafty five-eighth Albert Kelly named over Anthony Milford, while experienced winger David Mead takes over from Corey Oates.
Promising back rower Jordan Riki has been suspended and is replaced by rookie Keenan Palasia, while hooker Kobe Hetherington makes his NRL debut from the bench.
Despite the host of changes, Brisbane still possess a number of representative-calibre players in the form of Xavier Coates, Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai Jr, so the Tricolours will have to be on high alert through the 80 minutes.
Key Matchup: Angus Crichton vs Tevita Pangai Jr
Two second rowers in the prime of their careers face off as Angus Crichton and Tevita Pangai Jr look to consolidate their place in the NSW State of Origin squad.
Crichton has played a starring role for the Roosters in season 2021 with the absence of captain Boyd Cordner, averaging 138 running metres, 90.7% tackle efficiency while scoring four tries and making 27 tackle breaks in his nine games thus far.
His opposite in Pangai Jr has very similar numbers despite playing in a side on the opposite end of the ladder, with three tries, 116 average running metres and an 89.8% tackle efficiency with 28 tackle breaks to his name.
As both 25-year-olds vie for a position in Brad Fittler's Blues side as State of Origin looms, expect plenty of fireworks on the Roosters' left edge as these two barnstorming back rowers come head to head.
What They Said
"This week we get to represent him, be proud of what he's done for us. Personally he's done a lot for me, my family and my career so it will be an honour to represent my little roomie this weekend." - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
"He was the voice of the team, he made sure everyone was on and you can just tell he's a leader. To celebrate him is going to be good." - Adam Keighran
Friend Immortalised on the Club Legends' Mural
Your Verdict
With the Roosters buoyed by a Magic Round victory, a return to the SCG and looking to send off their captain with a win, there will be plenty of motivation and emotion on Saturday afternoon, but their opponents will be looking to change their fortunes with a potential ambush.
Make sure you grab your tickets here, and if you can't make the game be sure to head down to Artie's Sports Bar at easts to watch the boys in Red, White and Blue as they look to Celebrate Jake at the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground!
