Rd 9 Game Day: Football feast at Mount Smart on Sunday

Rd 9 Game Day Guide: Sunday footy's back home again

Author: Richard Becht warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Mon 24 Apr 2023, 07:57 AM

Mount Smart Stadium’s third home game day delivers the most anticipated rugby league date of the season so far with the One New Zealand Warriors’ in-form NRL and New South Wales Cup sides hosting glamour club the Sydney Roosters on Sunday (game day sponsor: Census).

After raucous support from huge crowds in the first two game days against the Bulldogs and the Cowboys – the latter a sell-out – the One New Zealand Warriors are looking forward to more of the same when the Roosters come to town.

The double header kicks off with the New South Wales Cup match at 1.30pm followed by the NRL main event at 4.00pm.

The One New Zealand Warriors have made an impressive start to their first home-based campaign since 2019 winning five of their first seven games to sit well up the ladder, doing so with only two of those matches played at their home ground.

At the same time the club’s New South Wales Cup side has been in outstanding shape with Sunday’s 48-4 trouncing of Parramatta taking it to the top of the table after eight rounds.

Both the One New Zealand Warriors and the Roosters face off in their NRL contest just five days after their Anzac Day battles tomorrow.

For the rugby league connoisseur this Sunday provides a chance to see so many of the game’s stars.

While the One New Zealand Warriors can point to an experienced cast featuring Shaun Johnson, Tohu Harris, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Dylan Walker, Addin Fonua-Blake, Jazz Tevaga, Marata Niukore and Marcelo Montoya, the Roosters bring a host of big names featuring Golden Boot winner Joey Manu, James Tedesco, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith, Daniel Tupou, Luke Keary and Joseph Sua’ali’i.

In their first two outings at Mount Smart, the One New Zealand Warriors rode home in tight contests on the wave of support from the stands, coming back to edge the Bulldogs 16-14 and outlasting North Queensland 22-14 in a gritty encounter.

Sunday’s curtain raiser will hold ample interest with the One New Zealand Warriors fielding a blend of the club’s emerging players, some from the local scene and a couple of veterans.

The last hour ahead of kick-off in the NRL fixture will include a live performance from singer Paige, who’s due on stage at 3.15pm.

Other established activities and attractions will be available around the stadium along with numerous food and beverage outlets; the 95 Social Precinct will again be a popular hub for families and friends to gather pre-game.

Merchandise will be available from the SuperStore as well as other outlets around the stadium.

If you haven’t secured your seats for another must-see Mount Smart game day, head to Ticketmaster now to avoid disappointment.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 30 Apr

Full Time

Warriors

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Warriors is number 3 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Corey Allan
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Centre for Warriors is number 17 Viliami Vailea

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Paul Momirovski
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Edward Kosi

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Dylan Walker

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Joseph Manu
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
Prop for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore

Prop for Roosters is number 17 Matthew Lodge
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Josh Curran

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
Lock for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bayley Sironen

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Angus Crichton
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Tom Ale

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Sitili Tupouniua
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Demitric Sifakula

Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Fletcher Baker