Sea Eagles v Roosters Preview
Big League
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=51397
Brookvale Oval
Sunday 3pm
IT’S a shame this 1 v 3 clash loses a bit of its lustre due to players on Origin duties but it’s two competition points that will be shining like the Holy Grail for Des Hasler’s boys who are well positioned to take advantage of their under-strength opponents and take a step up to the top rung of the premiership.
The Roosters lose a lot of their grunt with Craig Fitzgibbon, Willie Mason and Anthony Tupou representing the Blues and Nate Myles the Maroons. Conversely, Manly lose just Brett Stewart from their line-up.
The big news for Roosters fan is that former Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello returns from injury after an eight-week absence; elsewhere in their reshuffle in-form Mitchell Aubusson shifts from centre to lock to cover for Fitzgibbon, with Brent Grose claiming the number three jersey; while David Shillington starts at prop (for Myles) and Lopini Paea starts for Mason in the second row. Micky Paea and Anthony Cherrington join the bench.
For Manly, Michael Roberston shifts to fullback to cover for Brett Stewart, Steve Bell returns from injury to fill in for Robertson, while Vic Mauro takes the bench spot of the suspended Adam Cuthbertson.
Watch out Sea Eagles: The Roosters are gunning for five straight wins and they are in form all around the park. Mitchell Aubusson had a stunning game in the wet last week, highlighted by an 83-metre try where he fended off three Wests Tigers defenders. And Mark O’Meley, despite being overlooked for Origin, is pumping out quality play.
He’s ranked 12th in the NRL for top running metres, averaging 130 metres a game. And while no-one’s expecting Minichiello to immediately pick up where he left off, it should be noted he is currently averaging a staggering 199 metres from his four games in 2008 – that’s 10 metres more per game than top running metre man Kurt Gidley’s average from eight games.
Given that, and the fact winger Shaun Kenny Dowall boasts 51 tackle breaks (9th in the NRL) and his fellow flanker Sam Perrett with an average 149 metres a game is no.2 in the NRL for total distance gained, the Sea Eagles’ kickers will need to do better than their 45 per cent open-space kick rate.
Watch out Roosters: Origin and suspension has helped to cancel out these sides’ big offloaders: Tupou (29), Cuthbertson (22) and Fitzgibbon (15). But Manly still have good exponents in Anthony Watmough (21) and Glenn Stewart 16. Plus they have the most lethal attacking halfback in the comp in jilted Origin candidate Matt Orford – last week he leapfrogged Scott Prince to become the “King” of try assists in the NRL with 17.
Where it will be won: With short, close passes and good repeat sets. With the rain forecast to bucket down into the weekend fans can expect a “heavy” track at Brookvale.
The Roosters will be used to it, having ground out a win over the Wests Tigers in similar conditions just last Monday – but there’s also the danger their tired legs may not have fully recovered in time for another slug-fest.
The wet will also play its part in errors – here the Sea Eagles hold a distinct advantage, dropping the ball exactly three times less than the Roosters’ 11.1 times a game.
The History: Played 111; Sea Eagles 72, Roosters 37, drawn 2. The Roosters have won only three of the past eight clashes, with the Sea Eagles winning the past five in succession – including their record 56-0 win at Brookvale the last time they met last season. The home side holds a commanding 30-11 lead in games at Brookvale.
Conclusion: The closest game of the round – the Roosters have scored just six points more all year, and conceded just 11 more. Each side has scored 47 tries. Perhaps it will fall to penalties and discipline – with both sides likely to be out on their feet at times Des Hasler would be wise to drill his side into better discipline, given their 84 penalties conceded is the most by any side in the comp.
Match officials: Referee – Shayne Hayne; Sideline Officials – Paul Holland & Steve Carrall; Video ref – Chris Ward.
Televised: Channel Nine – Delayed 4.00pm; Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 6.00pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.