NRL Round 10 New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters Preview

The first game on Saturday comes from across the "ditch" with the young Roosters taking on a confident Warriors team. It promises to be a great match up between two exciting teams who like to throw "caution into the wind" and obtain points by any means necessary. Such has been the case with all my previews this week, many players will again be pressing further claims for SOO selection. At the end of the 2011 season after the Warriors made a great run to the finals, James Maloney was touted as a possible contender for the 5/8 for the Blues (even though Jamie Soward was the incumbent and had a decent enough series). But good form has eluded him this season and his Origin claims have definitely been the victim of the Warriors inconsistency on the field. On the other side, you have Mitchell Pearce (almost a certainty for NSW halfback) and Anthony Minichiello; who is a chance after displaying some wonderful form this year and has added spark to the Roosters attack from the back.

New Zealand Warriors - LWLWLLWLW (Streak - 1 win)

For the first time this season, James Maloney meets the team that he will join for the 2013 season. No doubt he will be out there to not only make a great  impression on his coach but to prove the doubters wrong on his SOO credentials. They also have a few injuries to contend with. Exciting fullback Kevin Locke is again ruled out with a sternum injury and hooker Nathan Friend will be out for at least 6 weeks as he broke his jaw in the opening minutes against the Broncos. True to the toughness of the little rake, he played the remaining minutes with the injury (playing very well) and refused to come from the field. That is the only change to the Warriors team that beat the Broncos the previous week. They will have the added bonus of a week at home without travel and a 7 day turn around to amp up their preparation for this game.

Sydney Roosters - WLWLWWLLW (Streak - 1 win)

The Roosters have an unchanged line-up from the week before when they handed the Knights a loss in a game in which they was dour at times, but enough to get the win. The one thing that will be working against them is a very short turn around between Sunday to Saturday night, throw in the road trip across to NZ and their preparation for this game is limited. Cue an unchanged winning team, and the Roosters may have the balance to get over the line. Their forwards will be powerful up front and with their 1,6,7 & 9 in good form, they will have a good platform to work from.

Recent History
Last 5 games - Warriors 3 Roosters 2
At Mt Smart Stadium - Warriors 9 Roosters 4

Odds

TAB Sportsbet - Warriors $1.40 Roosters $3.00

Centrebet - Warriors $1.42 Roosters $2.95

Sportsbet - Warriors $1.40 Roosters $3.05

Verdict

Going with the Warriors in this one. They haven't exactly been a model team this season, but I think that the Roosters will struggle with the short turn around and the trip over to NZ. Also, their performance against a pretty poor Newcastle side doesn't exaclt fill a person with confidence. Also expect a high scoring affair. The Warriors let in a lot of tries but they also have the potential to score a lot as well.

Suggested Bet
Warriors -7.5 @ $1.90

or

Warriors HT/FT - Warriors/Warriors @1.80

Good luck!

Scooby