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Roosters v Dragons: Crichton, Tupouniua return; BMM in for Su'A

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pan66.com
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When it comes to traditions in rugby league they don't come much more powerful or solemn than the Roosters and Dragons meeting on Anzac Day.

The Roosters and the Red V will clash for the 21st time on our most important national day and can once again be relied upon to play their part in a unique match in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium.

Both sides arrive at Round 8 short on wins but high on motivation, the Roosters perhaps under a tad more pressure simply because more is expected of them in 2023 than the Dragons.

Trent Robinson's men sit ninth with three wins and three losses but their much-vaunted attack is producing only 18 point per game, a far cry from the likes of Brisbane (29ppg), Cronulla (27ppg) and Penrith (26ppg).

They confront a Dragons side low on confidence after back-to-back losses to the Titans and Raiders, and seemingly worn down by the constant speculation surrounding coach Anthony Griffin's future.

With an ounce of luck and a couple of smarter choices in the big moments they could have come away with wins in both those games and history shows they always lift for Anzac Day, holding a 12-8 advantage since the inaugural clash in 2002.

Team News

Roosters: No further changes on game day after Terrell May was replaced on the bench by Naufahu Whyte on Monday. Joseph Manu has been moved to five-eighth with Luke Keary going to halfback and Sam Walker playing NSW Cup. Paul Momirovski is the new centre. World Cup winner Angus Crichton makes his comeback and will fill the hole left by Nat Butcher's suspension. Sitili Tupouniua has been named to play his first game since Round 18 last year having recovered from an ACL injury. 

Dragons: Anthony Griffin has made a late change with Michael Molo promoted to the starting side, Jaiyden Hunt joining the bench and Zane Musgrove going back to 18th Man. With Jaydn Su'A sidelined by a shoulder injury, Ben Murdoch-Masila returns to the pack after playing NSW Cup in Round 7.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Paul Momirovski
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau Moga
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Joseph Manu
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ben  Murdoch-Masila
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jack Bird
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Sitili Tupouniua
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Matthew Lodge
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 20 Naufahu Whyte
    Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Jaiyden Hunt

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Corey Allan
    Replacement for Dragons is number 8 Zane Musgrove

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Roosters have won eight of their past nine games against the Dragons.
  • The Dragons have won nine of their past 14 Anzac Day games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters winger Jaxson Paulo has scored five tries in his past three games at Allianz Stadium.
  • Dragons centre Zac Lomax has scored five tries in eight games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will play a record 12th Anzac Day game against the Dragons.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

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.