NRL Round 25 Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers Preview

Sunday footy action kicks off with a game which a lot of other teams in and around 8th spot on the NRL Ladder will be focusing on. The Roosters were out of contention for the finals along time ago and now find themselves hanging out for the end of the season whilst trying to keep themselves away from the spoon. No need to focus on them for this game. All the attention will be on the Tigers as they are currently sitting in 8th spot (prior to Round 25 beginning). They too are trying to keep themselves afloat. At the moment they are suffering a few injuries as they have for most of their season. Normally, the Tigers would be flying high at this point of the season and be a team that could win the competition. Unfortunately, things have not gone to plan for them. They are still hanging in there at the moment and if it wasn't for the belief within their squad that they can actually do something, then they would've been out of contention a long time ago. Last Friday night they put in a very gallant performance to lose to the competition leaders, the Bulldogs, in golden point. Having only one recognised half in this side is certainly taking its toll and was the difference between them winning and losing that match. There was already a mountain of pressure on Marshall and there is sure to be more as Robbie Farrah is set to have a stay on the sidelines with a broken hand. Their one strength within their side is their forward pack. They have monsters running around the field that can assert their dominance over their opposition to get their side moving forward. This is where they will also lose their games if they don't come ready to play. The pressure is now on the Tigers is a position that they are definitely not accustomed to. Lets see if they have the calibre of player to rise above it all state their case heading towards the finals.

Sydney Roosters

The Roosters took the extraordinary step this week of naming Anthony Minichiello after he was sent off for an elbow on Raiders fullback Josh Dugan. Somehow though, after contesting the charge at the judiciary, he got off. Even Roosters fans were amazed at the ruling from the judiciary. There isn't enough time in a day to talk about that problem but consistency has to be a priority for the NRL Commission. The Roosters are still a side that is searching for answers to their problems. There is again a few changes to the Roosters side from coach Brian Smith who is trying to pull them from the slump. There is only one change in the backline, Adam Henry is dropped from the wing and his spot is taken by Daniel Tupou. In the forwards, Martin Kennedy is recalled from the bench into the starting side and will start in the front row. Fran Paul Nuuausala is moved back to lock and Boyd Cordiner is shifted back to the bench. Lama Tasi is dropped fromthe bench and there is no extended bench named so all players are expected to take the field at some stage. The Roosters also welcome back Aidan Guerra from injury and he is shifted back into the second row and Jack Bosden is dropped out of the side altogether. 

Wests Tigers

The Tigers are still under the pump to make the finals and things to not get any easier this week as they are to be without their hooker and captain Robbie Farrah who is out with a broken hand. The Tigers "Mr Fix-it" at the moment, Liam Fulton is the man to fill Farrah's void at hooker. Big shoes to fill and he has done it at times this season along with Masada Iosefa, but after a stint at 5/8, he will definitely relish the opportunity to move back into the middle of the field. Expect Iosefa to get more minutes than he normally would. As Fulton is moved from 5/8, Tim Moltzen has shifted from fullback to fill that role. As Chris Lawrence returns from injury, he is returned to the centres and Beau Ryan is moved back to fullback. There is no extended bench named this week so Ray Cashmere and Tim Simona are the two players that disappear from the squad. The Tigers still have a very good forward pack to get them going in this game and they need to ensure that they dominate the younger and less experienced Roosters pack of forwards. Even without Farrah, they will have to set some platform for Marshall and Moltzen to build off. Attack has been some problem for the Tigers this season and they will not want to allow the Roosters to score too many early points. Their defence has to be as strong as ever. More so because this game will serve as a momentum builder as they move towards the semis.

Recent History

Overall = Roosters 13 - Tigers 8

Last 5 games = Roosters 4 - Tigers 1

At Allianz Stadium = Roosters 7 - Tigers 3

Odds

TAB Sportsbet = Roosters $2.40 Tigers $1.60

Centrebet = Roosters $2.50 Tigers $1.56

Sportsbet = Roosters $2.40 Tigers $1.60

Betfair = Roosters $2.66 Tigers $1.59

Verdict

Everything continues to go against the Tigers. They are without Farrah and their team is under a mountain of pressure to get a win here after the Raiders defeated the Bulldogs and clawed their way into the Top 8. The good things here is they are starting to get some combinations between their key forwards going. They have a good pack of forwards and should look to play the game here and allow plenty of room for Marshall and Moltzen to get the ball to the outside backs. This is another combination that the Tigers are trying this season and of past weeks, the Tigers look as though this will be the combination that works best for them. The Roosters are not without their inspiration as this game marks Minichiello's 250th and Braith Anasta's last home game for the club. They have been playing pretty poorly of late and perhaps this may lift them to get a win. It would be brave to take the Roosters though, the Tigers have a lot more to play for with a spot in the finals on the line. It's time for them to stand up. Tigers to get the win here, but they will have to work for it.

Suggested Bet

Tigers -4.5 @ $2

Tough game, close game = Tigers 1-12 @ $3 - The Tigers should get the win but they will have to work for it. The Roosters have their things to play for and will not lie down easily. Their attacking potency is also weaker but enough to get over the line.

Put 2 & 2 together = Tigers 7-12 @ $5.50 - Combine the two bets above and if you want a bit of value, this is the bet for you. It would be a good leg to add to a multi on a Sunday (or even a Saturday)

Good luck!

Scooby

@scoobystips