Round 26 Match Preview: Taming the Tigers

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Tue 22 Aug 2023, 04:06 PM

Returning to the Roosters' heartland this week, Trent Robinson's men are set to face the Wests Tigers in another do-or-die battle as the run home to finals heats up.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers

Saturday's match will mark the 38th encounter between the Roosters and Wests Tigers, with the mighty Tricolours taking home the two competition points in 20 of their last 22 clashes, dating back to 2009.

The last time they met in August of 2022, Nat Butcher bagged four tries in a 72-6 onslaught as the Roosters bid farewell to the Sydney Cricket Ground in record-breaking style.

Easts will be aiming to claim their fourth-straight win after downing the Sea Eagles, Dolphins and Eels in recent weeks, while the Tigers also enter the match on a high after snapping a 10-match losing streak to beat the Dolphins by a singular point in Round 25.

How They Line Up

Trent Robinson made a number of changes to the line-up ahead of Round 26 after James Tedesco was ruled out with concussion.

Golden Boot winner Joseph Manu slots into the fullback position, with Daniel Tupou and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wings and Billy Smith and Corey Allan in the centres.

Luke Keary will partner the returning Sam Walker in the halves, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to line up in the front row alongside Brandon Smith and Lindsay Collins.

Siua Wong, Nat Butcher and Victor Radley complete the starting side in the back row.

Sandon Smith, Fletcher Baker, Terrell May and Angus Crichton have been named on the interchange bench, with Drew Hutchison as the 18th player. Egan Butcher, Zach Dockar-Clay, Fetalaiga Pauga and Naufahu Whyte round out the line-up on the extended bench.

Round 26 - Round 26 - Saturday 26 Aug

Full Time

Roosters

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Triston Reilly
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Corey Allan

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Will Smith

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Siua Wong

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Justin Matamua
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Shawn Blore
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Egan Butcher

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Aitasi James

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Drew Hutchison

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Kit Laulilii

Match Officials

Referee: Todd Smith
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 12/12/2023 11:06:29 PM

Limited changes have been made to Wests' team, with Api Koroisau shifting back to hooker for the Tigers after filling in at halfback last week. Will Smith is the new number 7, with Jake Simpkin dropping out of the side.

Castore Key Match Up: Nat Butcher vs John Bateman

Both Nat Butcher and John Bateman have been fan-favourites for their respective teams in recent weeks and enter the Round 26 fixture in the prime of their careers, so there will no doubt be fireworks when they meet on the edge on Saturday.

Locking down the starting spot in the back-row, Nat Butcher has bagged four tries for the Roosters in season 2023.

The 26-year-old powerhouse has exerted his dominance in defence throughout the year, making 912 tackles with a 95.3% efficiency, while averaging 87 run metres with the ball in-hand.

His opposite has been a driving force in defence for the Tigers throughout the season, making 733 tackles for a 94.3% efficiency rating.

Backing up his efforts with tough ball-carrying, the English International averages 107 run metres per match, scoring two tries and making two line breaks.

With plenty of mouth-watering match-ups taking place across the field, keep your eyes on the battle of these two back-rowers who could play a crucial role in deciding the result.

What They Said

"We're just going in with that mentality of just taking it one game at a time, we focus all of the energy and effort into that week and play as hard as you can and get the result and then you go again for the next week." - Nat Butcher

"We have a lot of confident for sure but we don't want to get too far ahead of our selves. The most important is this weekend and the preparation starts today, we're really looking forward to it." - Daniel Tupou

Final Verdict

In our final home game for the season we need your support now more than ever!

Join us at Allianz Stadium for a weekend full of fun, with fans allowed on the field after the game before we return to the venue on Sunday to host an action-packed Member's event!

Head in early to cheer on the Roosters NRLW team as they look to secure their fourth-straight win with the back-end of their season approaching.