Round 24 Match Preview: Honouring Artie at Allianz

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Wed 9 Aug 2023, 10:05 AM

The Sydney Roosters return home to Allianz Stadium, hosting the Dolphins for the first time in NRL history on Saturday evening.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs The Dolphins

Saturday's clash marks the Roosters' second encounter with the Dolphins since they entered the competition in 2023.

In Round 1 the Tricolours fell to a 10-point defeat at Suncorp Stadium, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scoring the Roosters first try of the year in the 10th minute of the match.

Both teams enter the fixture desperate for a win to keep their hopes at making finals alive. The Roosters recorded a mighty triumph against the Sea Eagles last week, while the Dolphins are coming off two close losses.

How They Line Up

Trent Robinson has named one change to the line-up this week, naming Dylan Napa to make his NRL return - replacing Nathan Brown who is unavailable for one match.

Tedesco Skippers the team from from fullback, with Daniel Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wings. Joseph Manu has been named in the centres, alongside Billy Smith, completing the back line.

Luke Keary has been named at five-eighth for his 200th NRL game, partnering Drew Hutchison in the halves.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith and Lindsay Collins make up the front row, with Siua Wong, Nat Butcher and Victor Radley in the back row.

Sandon Smith, Fletcher Baker, Terrell May and Napa will feature from the interchange bench this week. The extended bench includes Fetalaiga Pauga, Elie El-Zakhem, Jake Turpin, Zach Dockar-Clay and Corey Allan.

Round 24 - Round 24 - Saturday 12 Aug

Full Time

Roosters

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Kodi Nikorima
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith

Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Valynce Te Whare
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi Niu
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Isaiya Katoa
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Drew Hutchison

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Ray Stone
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Josh Kerr
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May

Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Anthony Milford
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Dylan Napa

Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Jarrod Wallace

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 22 Corey Allan
Reserve for Dolphins is number 18 Herman Ese'ese

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:41 AM

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has named Ray Stone to make his return from a broken hand off the interchange bench, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been named in the centres with Kodi Nikorima at fullback.

Castore Key Match Up: Victor Radley vs Kenny Bromwich

Two dominant lock forwards clash on Saturday evening when Victor Radley meets Kenny Bromwich in the back-row.

Radley has been an imposing figure in defence for the Roosters this season making 575 tackles for an efficiency rating of 92.6%.

The English International has also shown his strength in attack, breaking 13 tackles and averaging 7.2 hit-ups per match while averaging 91 run metres.

Bromwich has been dominant for the Dolphins in their inaugural season, making 601 tackles for an efficiency rating of 94.2%.

The veteran lock has also been consistent with ball in hand, averaging 92 run metres per match, breaking the line once and tallying eight offloads.

What They Said

"We know the position we're in, we're taking it week by week but we'll do the work we need to and get ready to go after it this Saturday." – Billy Smith

Manu: 'I'm Still Trying To Get Better'

"We believe we are a team that can stack up those wins but it's just about taking it game by game. We're just focused on this week against the Dolphins and we're looking forward to that challenge." - Joseph Manu

Final Verdict

The Roosters will be aiming to secure consecutive wins when they return home to Allianz Stadium for the first time since Round 17 on Saturday evening.

Both Clubs will be playing for the Artie Legacy Medal, to be awarded to the Player of the Match, while the Roosters will also be wearing the 2023 Indigenous Round Jersey.

You can purchase your tickets for our Round 24 clash here. If you can’t make it to Allianz Stadium, be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction where you can watch the game live from Artie’s Bar. Easts are also running happy hour for two hours post-match.

It's not too late to Call yourself a Rooster in 2023! With the Club hosting a not-to-be-missed Membership event on Sunday August 27, sign up today.