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Match Preview

Roosters v Dolphins: Napa gets his shot; Stone good to go

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pan66.com
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The Roosters and Dolphins clash for the second time in NRL history on Saturday night six months on from one of the biggest upsets of the season.

Both these sides last met in Round 1 for the Dolphins' inaugural clash in the NRL with Wayne Bennett's side springing an upset at Suncorp Stadium on an historic day for the game's 17th team. 

Fast forward to August and a lot has changed since then. The Roosters' inconsistencies throughout 2023 have been on full display while the Dolphins had momentum early but have since slipped away.

You can bet the Bondi boys haven't forgotten about the season-opener after being on the wrong end of the scoreline with a return to Allianz Stadium the perfect opportunity to not only get one back but keep their slim finals hopes alive.

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Team news

Roosters: There are no late changes for the Tricolours with veteran forward Dylan Napa coming in for his first NRL game since 2021. Napa replaces the suspended Nathan Brown in the only change to Trent Robinson's squad from last week. 

Dolphins: There visitors are unchanged one hour prior to kick-off. Ray Stone returns from the broken hand he suffered in Round 20 against the Panthers and joins the bench, which pushes Herman Ese'ese back to 18th man. Kodi Nikorima is again the fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the centres. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Kodi Nikorima
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
    Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Valynce Te Whare
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
    Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi Niu
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Isaiya Katoa
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Drew Hutchison
    Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
    Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy  Marshall-King
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
    Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Ray Stone
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Josh Kerr
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Anthony Milford
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Dylan Napa
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Jarrod Wallace

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 22 Corey Allan
  • Reserve for Dolphins is number 18 Herman Ese'ese

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Dolphins winger and leading points-scorer Jamayne Isaako has scored 19 tries in 20 NRL games this season. 
  • The Dolphins have won only two of their last 10 matches. 
  • The Roosters have made more tackles than any other NRL team in 2023. 
  • The Roosters are aiming for their first back-to-back wins since April.
  • Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has won eight of his past 10 games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored five tries in his past four games.
  • In their only previous game in Sydney, the Dolphins were swamped 58-18 by Manly.
  • Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary will make his 200th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.