THE FACTS
When is Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Saturday 20th July, 06:00
Where is Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Sydney Cricket Ground
What channel is Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights?
Sydney Roosters – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500001
Newcastle Knights – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500003
THE TEAM NEWS
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Head Coach: Trent Robinson
Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, Mitchell, Manu, Hall, Keary, Cronk, Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Aubusson, Radley – Interchanges: Butcher, Crichton, Morris, Tupouniua Reserves: Faamausili, Lam
Unavailable: Zane Tetevano
- Sydney Roosters have now won just two of their last seven matches after a disappointing defeat against North Queensland left the Tricolours with plenty of work to do if they are to end the regular season in the top 4.
- The Roosters were set to be without prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after he was cited by the judiciary but they opted to fight his charge and were able to overturn the decision which would have ruled him out for two games if unsuccessful.
- Isaac Liu has been dropped this week due to the strength of the Roosters squad as Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco both return after they were rested following Origin and that sees Joseph Manu revert to centre with Brett Morris dropping to the bench.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Nathan Brown
Starting 13: Ponga, Hunt, Moga, Ramien, Kenny-Dowall, Mann, Pearce, D. Saifiti, Levi, Klemmer, Barnett, Mata’utia, Glasby – Interchanges: Watson, Gavet, Ese’ese, Buhrer – Reserves: J. Saifiti, Lino
Unavailable: Slade Griffin, Edrick Lee, Lachlan Fitzgibbon
- Newcastle were disappointing as they lost for the second week in succession following an under-par performance against Canterbury and travel to Sydney to face a Roosters side that are desperate for a win.
- Kalyn Ponga has provided the Knights with a huge boost as he makes his return to the side this week and will slot back in at fullback which sees Kurt Mann move to five-eighth with Mason Lino dropped and Tautau Moga starts in the centres.
- Aiden Guerra will again not take to the field in the NRL as he continues to build his fitness in reserve grade whilst Josh King has also been left out this week as Nathan Brown searches for the formula to get his side back to winning ways.
THE PREDICTION
Sydney Roosters are in a slump at the moment and their spot in the top 4 looks far from secure. They now host a Newcastle side that were too good for them when they met in Round 11 and whilst neither side make a great case for the win on recent form, the Roosters can gain revenge on home soil. Both teams are boosted by the return of their first-choice fullback but James Tedesco can be the man to spark the Roosters on the back of winning the Wally Lewis medal for Man of the Series during Origin.
