Preview: Roosters v Raiders
VENUE & TIME: SFS – Monday, July 4, 7pm (AEST), 9pm (NZT)
COVERAGE: Fox Sports/Sky Sport
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 50 – Roosters 28, Raiders 22
LAST TIME: Round 17, 2010 – Roosters 22-12
WALKING WOUNDED:
There are no fresh injury concerns for the Roosters with long-term absentees Mitchell Aubusson (shoulder) and Martin Kennedy the only two big-name players on the casualty list. Kiwi international centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall (ankle) should be right to take his place this week after he was a late withdrawal last round but Anthony Minichiello, Mitchell Pearce and Nate Myles are all unavailable due to State of Origin.
Raiders prop David Shillington is set for at least another couple of weeks on the sidelines after re-injuring his pec muscle in the win over the Eels last Saturday night. Troy Thompson comes into the squad as his replacement. NSW full-back Josh Dugan is set to miss another week at least as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
FORM:
The table will show the Roosters are just two wins outside the top eight but reality is they are a long way from being considered finals contenders. Last weekend's meek 18-10 loss to an understrength Newcastle showed there are still plenty of issues at the Bondi club. Brian Smith's side is fast running out of chances to resurrect their season and a loss in this one would all but end their finals' hopes.
The Raiders breathed some life into their disappointing season with a strong 25-12 win over Parramatta last Saturday to move within four points of the top eight. David Furner's troops are still languishing in 15th spot but it was around this time last year they went on a winning streak that propelled them into the finals. They will prove hard to beat in the cold weather on their home turf for the rest of the year but the big question is whether they can get enough wins on the road to mount a serious challenge for the top eight.
WHO'S HOT:
Roosters skipper Braith Anasta blasted his side's commitment in the loss to the Knights last Sunday but surely his spray couldn't have been directed at hooker Jake Friend. The young rake was the only one who looked like sparking anything in attack for the Chooks, while he tackled himself to a standstill, finishing with a massive 52 by the full-time siren.
When the Raiders made the high-profile signing of Matt Orford in the off-season, young halfback Sam Williams must have thought he had very little chance of playing in the top grade this year. But the 20-year-old's impressive form has made it impossible for Furner to keep him in the NYC any longer and he's looking more comfortable in the top grade every week. Williams grabbed two tries in the win over the Eels and his battle with Todd Carney could go a long way to deciding the winner in this match.
WE THINK:
These two sides have endured eerily similar seasons so far. Both were considered finals certainties at the start of the season but have struggled to live up to the expectation and sit just off the foot of the ladder with four wins for the year. They both have high-profile halves (Orford and Todd Carney) struggling for form and are very much at the last chance saloon in.
Source: Sports.com.nz
Topic: Preview: Roosters v Raiders
