The Roosters Crow: An SCG Farewell

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Wed 17 Aug 2022, 11:47 AM

The Roosters will be looking to finish their tenure at the Sydney Cricket Ground as winners, but in their way stands a Wests Tigers outfit desperate to lift themselves from the bottom of the ladder.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs Wests Tigers

Saturday will mark the 37th match between the Roosters and Tigers since the 2000 season, which has seen the Tricolours take home 27 victories for a 75% winning rate.

The Roosters will face their opponents for the first time since the 40-6 victory in Round 2 last season in search of not only their sixth consecutive win since the Round 17 bye, but also their sixth successive win over the Tigers.

A lot has happened since that last meeting; and while their rivals sit in last place, they have shown their ability to match it with the top teams with wins over Parramatta and Souths while pushing North Queensland and Penrith to the brink.

How They Line Up

Trent Robinson has retained a majority of the side that defeated the North Queensland Cowboys last Saturday afternoon.

Captain James Tedesco is named at fullback coming off his 200th NRL match, joined by Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu, Paul Momirovski and Joseph Suaalii in the backline.

Luke Keary and Sam Walker have been named in the halves, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Verrills and Matt Lodge line up in the front row.

Round 23 - Round 23 - Saturday 20 Aug

Full Time

Roosters

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Brent Naden
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
Centre for Roosters is number 16 Drew Hutchison

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock Madden

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Fa'amanu Brown
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Matthew Lodge

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane Musgrove
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Fonua Pole
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan Butcher

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Austin Dias
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tom Freebairn
Interchange for Roosters is number 20 Oliver Gildart

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 19 Fletcher Baker

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jake Simpkin

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:16 PM

The back row remains intact from last week with Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher lining up on the right and left respectively as Victor Radley takes his place at the back of the scrum.

Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Drew Hutchison and Terrell May make up the interchange bench, with 18th man Adam Keighran/Kevin Naiqama joining Fletcher baker, Oliver Gildart, Ben Thomas and Siua Wong on the extended bench.

The Wests Tigers have been boosted by the returns of winger Ken Maumalo and forward Alex Seyfarth as the only two changes to their side from last week - with lock forward Joe Ofahengaue celebrating his 150th match in the NRL.

Round 2 Match Highlights: Roosters v Wests Tigers

Key Match Up: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves vs James Tamou

Two of the most experienced players in the competition literally take centre stage when Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and James Tamou meet for the fourteenth time in their careers.

Waerea-Hargreaves has claimed eight wins over his opponent, and over his fourteen-year career has taken the field 276 times, averaging a solid 119 metres and 27 tackles per game, culminating in four Grand Final appearances for three Premierships.

Tamou has had similar success in his own career, with his longevity displayed after hitting the 300-game mark this season, averaging 110 metres and 26 tackles per game over his fourteen seasons, culminating in a Premiership in 2015.

With key forwards missing on both ends of the field, look to Waerea-Hargreaves and Tamou to lead from the front and guide their respective side across the park.

What They Said:

"They've played a lot of Grand Finals there, a lot of cricket games; you can still see all the names up on the walls. It's pretty special sitting in the same changerooms as those guys sat in. To finish our time at the SCG with a good performance, that's the goal." - Angus Crichton

"I love it. It's a fast ground, the crowds come out. We train there throughout the week and obviously it has a lot of history behind it. Even playing one game there is special." - Joseph Suaalii

"I had my first game at the SCG this year. There's such a rich history and we go to Allianz Stadium in the last round, so we want to pay our respect to the SCG by putting on a Roosters-style performance." - Egan Butcher

"It's been special to be able to play there for three years. We've had some really good memories there, we've had some really successful years there. We play well there. It's a good, fast track and we've spoken about how special it is." - Luke Keary

Final Verdict

As the race to the finals continues to heat up, there will be plenty for the men from Bondi to play for on Saturday night.

Not only is it a chance to send off the Sydney Cricket Ground with a win, but it's an opportunity to extend their winning streak further and send a warning shot to the rest of the competition.

The Wests Tigers will be hungry and looking for a highlight to finish off the season, so it's imperative that the Red, White and Blue put in a Roosters-like performance in front of their Members and supporters.

For those looking to attend the game, you can grab your tickets here and enjoy the grandeur of the Sydney Cricket Ground as our tenure at the venue comes to a close.

Don't forget to get your tickets for the NRLW side's Round 1 clash at Commbank Stadium earlier in the day, and support the women's game and our NRLW side with NRLW Membership!