Minimal team changes have been made for the One New Zealand Warriors’ 13th-round Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) encounter with the Sydney Roosters at Wentworth Park in Sydney on Sunday (1.15pm kick-off local time; 3.15pm NZT).
The Warriors have halfback Cassius Cowley and middle forward Harry Durbin back in a starting lineup otherwise unchanged from the one which secured an impressive come-from-behind 28-24 win over Melbourne last Sunday.
Down 6-20 at halftime, the Warriors grabbed the momentum in the second half to roll over the top of the Storm as they piled on 22 unanswered in the space of 18 minutes and then held out the visitors with William Piliu in the sin bin for their third win of the season.
It was a weekend in which all three Warriors sides in action – all fielding heavily rearranged lineups – showed exceptional resilience, the NRL team going on to topple the fourth-placed Dolphins while the NSW Cup side was courageous in a close defeat by the third-placed North Sydney.
Match: Roosters v Warriors
Round 13 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 20 Xavier Chatfield-MookaFullback for Warriors is number 1 Salesi Piliu
-
Winger for Roosters is number 1 Demetrius KilisimasiWinger for Warriors is number 2 Garry Tuilekutu
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Cathane HillCentre for Warriors is number 3 Nganaiaiafu Vake
-
Centre for Roosters is number 19 Natrell TawaCentre for Warriors is number 4 Sialetili Faeamani
-
Winger for Roosters is number 23 Tyreece TaitWinger for Warriors is number 5 Rapheal Sio
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 26 Alan HoltenFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Jesse Soric
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Reece FoleyHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Cassius Cowley
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Zack ViscontiProp for Warriors is number 8 Rodney Tuipulotuvea
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Christian AbalHooker for Warriors is number 9 Jeriko Filipi-Talisau
-
Prop for Roosters is number 15 Watisoni WaqanisaraviProp for Warriors is number 10 Tobias Crosby
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Jackson Pennell2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Alvin Chong Nee
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 16 Daniel Readon2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Presley Seumanu Tigafua
-
Lock for Roosters is number 21 Enzo GriffierLock for Warriors is number 13 Harry Durbin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 8 Jayden SmithInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Ieti Samuelu
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Peter Benjamin UiniInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Augustino Filipo
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 22 Jackson De LisleInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Ben Peni
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 24 Julius MitchellInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Maui Winitana-Patelesio
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 2 Oshay TyermanReplacement for Warriors is number 20 Eli Tuli
Last updated:
The Warriors will need more of the same facing the Roosters for second time in three weeks. The last time the two met three weeks ago, the Roosters won 34-22 and come into the contest unbeaten in their last three starts.
The Warriors were right in the hunt last time, heading into the last 10 minutes just 22-28 adrift before the Roosters added a late try.
The key factors against the Storm were the Warriors’ 89 per cent completion rate (26 from 29) and a low error rate, just three the entire match, but above all their resilience of defence, especially in the closing minutes when the Storm were coming at them.
