Raiders v Roosters: Frawley steps up; Waerea-Hargreaves ruled out
The Roosters are coming off an impressive win over the Sharks but the absence of James Tedesco, Lindsay Collins and Daniel Tupou on Origin duty makes the task of winning in the national capital that much tougher.
The Raiders have won three of five at home this season and will be smarting after pushing the Eels to the limit on Sunday before ultimately going down by eight points.
These two sides have engaged in some epic battles in recent years dating back to the 2019 grand final, when a fair dash of controversy surrounded the Roosters' victory and Raider Jack Wighton had the rare honour of collecting the Clive Churchill Medal in a beaten side.
Wighton and Josh Papalii will miss Sunday's game on Origin duty, leaving the Green Machine without two vital cogs as they look to stay in contact with the top eight.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Raiders v Roosters
The Rundown
Team news
Raiders: No late changes on game day. James Schiller has been promoted to the interchange bench in place of Corey Harawira-Naera (COVID protocols). Matt Frawley played five-eighth in Round 9 and 10 when Wighton was suspended and he gets the No.6 jersey again while Corey Horsburgh moves to starting prop. Trey Mooney also joins the interchange and will make his NRL debut. Harry Rushton is 18th man.
Roosters: No late changes on game day.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has succumbed to a hamstring injury and will be replaced in the front row by Fletcher Baker, with Siosiua Taukeiaho to be the other starting prop as Lindsay Collins is on Origin duty with Queensland.
Joseph Suaalii will play despite picking up a head knock and joining the Blues squad this week. Joseph Manu shifts to fullback to cover for James Tedesco, with Kevin Naiqama the new centre. Sitili Tupouniua comes into the starting side and Daniel Suluka Fifita joins the bench after Waerea-Hargreaves was ruled out. Lachlan Lam is 18th man.
Match: Raiders v Roosters
Round 13 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier SavageFullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Roosters is number 2 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Roosters is number 4 Kevin Naiqama
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Matt FrawleyFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey HorsburghProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Roosters is number 9 Drew Hutchison
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Roosters is number 13 Nat Butcher
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan SuttonInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Trey MooneyInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 18 James SchillerInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 19 Harry RushtonReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Lachlan Lam
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jamal Fogarty v Luke Keary: Game management will be critical with so many key men missing from both sides. Fogarty looked a little rusty in his first hit-out for the season against the Eels but he'll be all the better for the run. Keary has played all 12 games for the Roosters, coming up with 11 try assists and six line break assists. The three-time premiership winner is proving the perfect foil for whiz kid Sam Walker and their partnership is blossoming. Fogarty will be asked to team with a new five-eighth and click quickly as the Raiders look to bounce back from Sunday's loss to Parramatta.
Stat Attack
The last time the Raiders were inside the top eight was round three on the back of a win over the Titans. The Roosters jumped into the top eight in round four after knocking off the Cowboys and have been there ever since. The Roosters and Warriors were the two sides who moved into eight after round four at the expense of the Broncos and Raiders.
Match: Raiders v Roosters
Round 13 -
home Team
Raiders
10th Position
away Team
Roosters
6th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
