Dragons v Roosters: Huakau promoted; Naividi to return
The Roosters head to Wagga Wagga as one of the competition's form teams after dismantling Wests Tigers 48-10 in a powerful Round 4 display.
Their attack was electric, their defence relentless, and they once again demonstrated why they sit among the premiership favourites.
For St George Illawarra, Round 4 proved frustrating as they fell 28-8 to Canterbury. The Dragons showed glimpses of their attacking quality but struggled to sustain pressure and were ultimately overpowered by a Bulldogs side that won the key moments.
The challenge facing the Dragons this week is obvious. The Roosters are entering Round 5 with arguably the most dangerous attack in the competition and will be full of confidence after posting 48 points.
St George Illawarra's defence will need to improve against a Sydney side capable of turning half-chances into points, maintain discipline and complete sets.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 5 -
home Team
Dragons
10th Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Dragons: Multiple changes for the Dragons as they take on the challenge of the Roosters at Magic Round. Maria Paseka returns from a hamstring injury to start on the wing, with Tahlia O'Brien shifting to the bench and Tyra Ekepati slotting into the centres. Amelia Huakau has been promoted to starting prop in place of Madison Mulhall who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week. Further changes to the bench see Lavinia Kitai and Ahlivia Ingram added, with Trinity Tauaneai and Tori Shipton moving into the reserves. Nita Maynard-Perrin has been named as 18th player.
Roosters: Fiji Bulikula player Taina Naividi has been named to return from an ACL injury she suffered at training on the eve of last year's grand final. Her return on the wing shifts Mia Wood to 18th player duties. In further positive news for the Roosters, star half Tarryn Aiken has been named in the reserves as she aims to return from a shoulder injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan BerryFullback for Roosters is number 1 Brydie Parker
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maria PasekaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Taina Naividi
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tyra EkepatiCentre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme MillardWinger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn Kelleher
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey RehHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Corban Baxter
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Amelia HuakauProp for Roosters is number 8 Millie Elliott
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Brooke AndersonHooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Nizza
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-EllisProp for Roosters is number 10 Otesa Pule
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Sariah Paki
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jasmin Strange
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Roosters is number 13 Olivia Kernick
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali HopkinsInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden Burton
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Lavinia KitaiInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Aliyah Nasio
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ahlivia IngramInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Rima Butler
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Tahlia O'BrienInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Amber Hall
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Nita Maynard-PerrinReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Mia Wood
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Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Charis ToliReserve for Roosters is number 19 Tarryn Aiken
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Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Tori ShiptonReserve for Roosters is number 20 Nikiah Campbell
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Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Trinity TauaneaiReserve for Roosters is number 21 Talea Tonga
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Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Arabella McKenzieReserve for Roosters is number 22 Tatum Bird
Dragons Ins
- Ahlivia Ingram
- Charis Toli
- Lavinia Kitai
- Maria Paseka
- Nita Maynard-Perrin
Roosters Ins
- Taina Naividi
- Talea Tonga
- Tarryn Aiken
- Tatum Bird
Dragons Outs
- Madison Mulhall
Roosters Ins
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons have been outscored by a combined 66-8 in their last two games
- The Roosters have won their last five games against the Dragons
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored seven tries in her last seven NRLW games
- Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly has scored seven tries in her last six games against the Dragons
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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