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Dragons v Roosters: Sims, Dufty back; Walker to bench

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pan66.com
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The Roosters would probably like a break from having their team reshuffled nearly every week due to injuries and suspensions. 

But against the Dragons this week it's up to coach Trent Robinson and the senior players - whose numbers have dwindled considerably over the season - to once again show the way forward. 

After Origin star Angus Crichton was missing last week against the Broncos - and will not play this week either - fellow back rower Victor Radley is now on the sidelines through suspension. 

The Dragons aren't in the clear as they have lost hooker Andrew McCullough after he hurt his left ankle in last week's 34-16 loss to the Panthers. They are also down on their luck with five straight losses, forcing them to languish in 11th spot on the ladder.

A win or two would be just the ticket to get them out of their funk - but they better hurry up before the club season is all over.

The rundown

Team news

Dragons: St George Illawarra will start 1-17 with Poasa Faamausili the 18th man.

Billy Burns has passed concussion protocols and will play after failing a HIA against the Panthers.

Anthony Griffin has made another host of changes to his side with Matt Dufty recalled at fullback and Jack Bird shifted to the centres.

Josh McGuire will start at hooker after Andrew McCullough underwent season-ending ankle surgery this week.

Jaiyden Hunt and Jordan Pereira were omitted from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.

The Dragons have conceded 168 points in their past five games.

Roosters: In the only change to the 17, Sam Walker will start from the bench, with Lachlan Lam coming into the starting side. Brad Abbey will be the 18th man.

Sitili Tupounia has passed protocols and will play after suffering a head knock last weekend. 

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is fresh after a week off in a timely return following Victor Radley's three-match ban. 

Ben Marschke and Tuku Hau Tapuha dropped off the reserves list on Saturday.

The Roosters have won their past six games against the Dragons.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
    Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jack Bird
    Centre for Roosters is number 3 Adam Keighran
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
    Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dale Copley
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
    Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Corey Norman
    Halfback for Roosters is number 14 Lachlan Lam

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Kaide Ellis
    Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared  Waerea-Hargreaves 
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Josh McGuire
    Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
    Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tyrell Fuimaono
    2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tariq Sims
    Lock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jayden Sullivan
    Interchange for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
    Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
    Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Fletcher Baker
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jackson Ford
    Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Ben Thomas

Reserves

  • Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Poasa Faamausili
    Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Brad Abbey

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Key match-up

Daniel Tupou v Mikaele Ravalawa: Towering Chook Tupou has a 12cm height advantage but the pair are much closer in the number of tries they have provided for their team. Tupou has 11 and Ravalawa has 10 for the season. Both are crucial to getting their team's sets off to a good start and jamming in off their wing to shut down attacking raids.

Stat attack

The Roosters are third best in the League for post-contact metres. But the Dragons lack punch in this department sitting in 13th spot in the NRL. The Dragons middle is going to have to put up a stronger defensive wall or continually find themselves being driven backwards. 

 

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.