ANZAC Day Cup Match Preview
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Arguably the biggest regular season match on the NRL calendar, the Dragons and Roosters will once again put it all on the line in the annual ANZAC Day clash.
It's a match that needs no extra motivation but with the Roosters coming off a narrow defeat to Melbourne and the Dragons buoyed by an upset win over the Warriors, the Round 8 fixture is anyone's to win.
Trent Robinson's men sit 11th on the ladder and look to be struggling with consistency having not gone back-to-back all season.
But the Tricolours will be hoping their annual ANZAC Day fixture will be the game that ignites a much-needed run as they welcome back Dom young from suspension and Sam Walker from concussion.
St George Illawarra, meanwhile, will be high on confidence after a 30-12 victory over the Warriors at home and are showing real signs of improvement in 2024.
With a 4-3 record to start the season, the Dragons are proving to be a fitter and more physical team under new coach Shane Flanagan and will be a big threat in a game they always find to lift for regardless.
Meeting for their 22nd time on the important national day, history points in favour of the Dragons who hold a 12-9 advantage since the inaugural clash in 2002 but the Roosters once again enjoy homegrown advantage, with another sell-out crowd expected to lift the roof at Allianz Stadium.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Dragons v Roosters
Team News
Dragons: No late changes on game day after Mikaele Ravalawa was forced out with knee soreness on Wednesday which sees Jack Bird return from a head knock in the centres and with Zac Lomax shift to the wing. Michael Molo is 18th man.
Roosters: No last minute changes after winger Daniel Tupou (knee) and lock Victor Radley (hamstring) dropped out 24 hours before kick-off. Michael Jennings comes in from 18th man to the centres, Joseph Suaalii goes to the wing and Connor Watson moves into the lock position. Siua Wong is the new face on the bench while Dom Young (suspension) and Sam Walker (concussion protocol) also return.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 8 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell SloanFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese SuliCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Centre for Dragons is number 19 Jack BirdCentre for Roosters is number 18 Michael Jennings
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Winger for Dragons is number 4 Zac LomaxWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis MoloProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Hame SeleProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Raymond Faitala-Mariner2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom EisenhuthLock for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Fa'amanu BrownInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake LawrieInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jack De BelinInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ben Murdoch-MasilaInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Siua Wong
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Michael MoloReplacement for Roosters is number 22 Fetalaiga Pauga
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored 13 tries in his past 16 games.
- The Roosters have won four of their past six ANZAC Day clashes with the Dragons.
- Dragons centre Zac Lomax has scored five tries in his past five games.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou requires two tries for 150 NRL tries.
- Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will coach on ANZAC Day for the first time.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 8 -
home Team
Dragons
11th Position
away Team
Roosters
7th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
