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Roosters v Warriors: Butcher in; Lussick to start

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After entering the season as one of the premiership favourites, the Warriors have hit a significant roadblock in the past month, with their last win coming in Round 5 against the Rabbitohs.

Last year's preliminary finalists find themselves in 14th position with three wins, five losses and a draw, and the free-flowing attack that lit up the NRL last season seems to have deserted them.

The Roosters have been the complete opposite in the past fortnight, piling on 60 points against the Dragons on ANZAC Day and another 40 to dismantle the Broncos in a statement victory at Suncorp Stadium.

The last time the Roosters topped 100 points in successive games was 2022 when they beat the Cowboys 32-18 in Round 22 before smashing Wests Tigers 72-6 in Round 23.

They kept the roll going with an 18-14 win over the Storm in Round 24, part of an eight-game winning streak that catapulted them into the 2022 finals series.

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Team News

Roosters: A late change for the home side sees Naufahu Whyte drop out and Egan Butcher join the bench after being named in the reserves this week. Brandon Smith, who was limited last week due to a calf concern, dropped out of the squad on Saturday afternoon, so Connor Watson now starts at hooker with Sandon Smith joining the bench. Daniel Tupou, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley are all returning from injury and Spencer Leniu back from suspension.

Warriors:A change on game day with Freddy Lussick named to start at hooker for his return from a four-game suspension with Wayde Egan shifted to the bench. A massive blow with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck suffering a hamstring injury at training which has ruled him out of Round 10, while Marcelo Montoya has been dropped in favour of Ed Kosi on the wing. After originally being named on the bench Adam Pompey now starts at centre.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze   Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Warriors is number 17 Adam Pompey
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
    Winger for Warriors is number 22 Edward Kosi
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake 
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
    Hooker for Warriors is number 23 Freddy Lussick
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Spencer Leniu
    Interchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Sandon Smith
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Egan Butcher
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 22 Fetalaiga Pauga
    Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Match Officials

  • Referee: Kasey Badger
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Roosters centre Joseph Manu has scored five tries in his past four games at Allianz Stadium.
  • The Warriors have lost their last seven games against the Roosters.
  • Roosters halfback Sam Walker is on a streak of 18 consecutive goals at Allianz Stadium.
  • The Warriors have won four of their past five games at Sydney venues.
  • Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will become the fourth Roosters player to appear in 300 games for the club.

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

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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.