Two sides coming off emotion-charged victories square off in an epic contest in front of another big Go Media Stadium crowd tonight (8.00pm kick-off).
After a poor showing against the Raiders in Las Vegas, the Warriors were given little hope against Manly but produced one of their finest wins in recent memory to get home 36-16.
Likewise the Roosters were coming off a demoralising round one loss to the Broncos when they took on the might of the Panthers but with James Tedesco at his inspirational best they stunned the defending champs 38-32 to restore pride in the jersey.
The Roosters' forward stocks have received a boost are in for a boost with Spencer Leniu (suspension) and Victor Radley (concussion protocol) all set to return.
The last time the Roosters ventured to Go Media Stadium in round nine, 2023 they produced a defensive masterclass to shut out the Warriors 14-0 with Egan Butcher, Nat Butcher and Radley racking up 153 tackles between them.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
Round 3 -
home Team
Warriors
7th Position
away Team
Roosters
13th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Having put the train back on the tracks against Manly, the One New Zealand Warriors stick with the same 17 to face the Roosters. Experienced trio Rocco Berry, Bunty Afoa and Freddy Lussick dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off with 18th man Jacob Laban and Te Maire Martin retained.
Roosters: Two changes in Thursday's 24-hour update with Lindsay Collins dropping out having not returned to full function post-illness while Salesi Foketi failed in his bid to have a careless high tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary on Tuesday night and has been suspended for two games. Hugo Savala and Makahesi Makatoa are the new faces on the bench. Leniu and Radley are back on deck. Ethan Roberts is 18th man.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
Round 3 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Taine TuaupikiWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke MetcalfHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Roosters is number 8 Spencer Leniu
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Roosters is number 10 Naufahu Whyte
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Jackson FordInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake Steep
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Hugo Savala
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Leka HalasimaInterchange for Roosters is number 21 Makahesi Makatoa
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Jacob LabanReplacement for Roosters is number 22 Ethan Roberts
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have not beaten the Roosters at Go Media Stadium since 2017.
- The Roosters have won their past eight games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have won only two of their past seven Friday night games.
- Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored 21 tries in his last 20 games.
- Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will play his 50th game for the Warriors.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
