Roosters v Knights: Robinson retains 19; Brown boosts halves
Despite winning last week, Roosters coach Trent Robinson would not have been entirely happy with their performance and will been keen for improvement against the Knights.
While it was an impressive turnaround in the second half to overrun the Sharks in their 34-22 win, the two first half showing left plenty to be desired.
The try to Daniel Tupou on the stroke of half-time saw them enter the sheds trailing a much more manageable 22-12, before a much more disciplined effort in the second half saw them turn the screws on Cronulla, keeping them scoreless in the half.
After launching into the season with a 4-1 winning record, the Knights came to s stutter again at Campbelltown Sports Stadium against a fired up Wests Tigers.
However, a late rush of tries - including to veteran centre Dan Gagai who moved into sixth place for most club appearances with 222 games - added a level of respectability to the score, losing 42-22.
Match: Roosters v Knights
Round 7 -
home Team
Roosters
8th Position
away Team
Knights
6th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Roosters: Trent Robinson goes with the same 19 players after an impressive win over the Sharks in Perth. Billy Smith is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a knee injury suffered against Manly in Round 4.
Knights: The return of gun five-eighth Dylan Brown sees Fletcher Sharpe slide to fullback and Fletcher Hunt to centre. Thomas Cant gets a start in the back row in the absence of Dylan Lucas (throat). More changes on the bench with Cody Hopwood in for Tyson Frizell, who is nursing a rib injury. Francis Manuleleua also joins the interchange.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Hugo SavalaCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert ToiaCentre for Knights is number 4 Fletcher Hunt
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Sandon Smith
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan Brown
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu WhyteProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece RobsonHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Thomas Cant
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Knights is number 15 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Knights is number 16 Cody Hopwood
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Salesi FoketiInterchange for Knights is number 17 Francis Manuleleua
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody RamseyInterchange for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthy
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Tommy TalauInterchange for Knights is number 19 Peter Hola
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Benaiah IoeluReserve for Knights is number 20 Tyson Gamble
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Egan ButcherReserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Billy SmithReserve for Knights is number 22 James Schiller
Roosters Ins
- Benaiah Ioelu
- Billy Smith
- Egan Butcher
Knights Ins
- Dylan Brown
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
- Francis Manuleleua
- James Schiller
- Kyle McCarthy
- Peter Hola
Roosters Outs
Knights Ins
- Dylan Lucas
- Tyson Frizell
- Wilson De Courcey
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won eight of their last nine games against the Knights.
- The Knights will play their first game at the new Allianz Stadium.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored 10 tries in his last nine games at Allianz Stadium.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored nine tries in his last six NRL games.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 10 tries in his last nine games against the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
