0


Their only problem; nine of those matches are against teams currently in the top eight.

Their first task is a date with the Bulldogs, and despite boasting an impressive recent record against the men from Belmore, the Roosters will head into this one as heavy underdogs.

The Tricolours have won just one of their past five matches – including a 32-20 defeat at the hands of the Dogs in Round 11 – while the Bulldogs are fresh from an emphatic 26-point win over the Broncos on Saturday night.

Having traded wins for losses for the first two months of the season, the Bulldogs have snuck under the radar to sit on 20 competition points in equal-fifth position on the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.

A win on Thursday wouldn't just consolidate their position inside the top eight; it would confirm their status as a genuine premiership threat in 2016. 

The Roosters have received a huge boost with star halfback Mitchell Pearce returning from injury for the first time since these sides last met. His inclusion sees Ryan Matterson drop back to an extended bench.

Origin players Blake Ferguson and Aidan Guerra slot straight back into the starting side forcing Sam Moa back to the interchange bench while Joseph Manu and Chris Smith drop out of the side altogether.

The Bulldogs welcome back Greg Eastwood in the back row with Asipeli Fine and Raymond Faitala-Mariner joining an extended bench of six.

Enregistrer un commentaire

 
Top