2020 NRL – Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Saturday 5th September, 2020 – 10:35 (UK)
Where is Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters taking place? GIO Stadium, Canberra
What is the expected weather for Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters? 8c, clear skies
What channel is Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Rapana, Croker, Timoko, Cotric, Wighton, G. Williams, Papalii, Havili, Sutton, Bateman, Whitehead, Tapine – Interchanges: Starling, Lui, Young, Hawawira-Naera – Reserves: S. Williams, Valemei
Unavailable: Sebastian Kris (Illness), Corey Horsburgh (Injured), Sia Soliola (Injured), Emre Guler (Injured), Josh Hodgson (Injured), Bailey Simonsson (Injured), Michael Oldfield (Injured), Curtis Scott (Injured)
- Canberra Raiders were given a huge scare by bottom side Canterbury Bulldogs last week as they found themselves eight points down at half-time but a strong second half saw them overturn that deficit and run away with the contest.
- The Raiders looked to be in real trouble when Tom Starling was shown a yellow card at the start of the second half but Jack Wighton inspired his side with two tries whilst they were down to 12 to turn the game on its head.
- Canberra kept Canterbury scoreless in the second period as they scored 22 unanswered points to claim the 34-20 success but they will be without Curtis Scott because of a leg injury here with Matt Timoko making his first NRL start in the centres while Corey Harawira-Naera returns on the bench.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, J. Morris, Manu, B. Morris, Keary, Flanagan, Waerea-Hargreaves, Lussick, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Tupouniua, Liu – Interchanges: Collins, N. Butcher, Williams, Crichton – Reserves: Aubusson, Hutchison
Unavailable: Billy Smith (Injured), Victor Radley (Injured), Sam Verrills (Injured), Lachlam Lam (Injured), Matt Ikuvalu (Injured), Jake Friend (Injured)
- Sydney Roosters proved far too good for Brisbane Broncos last week as they blew their opponents away in a huge win but this is the game they will have had circled as a must-win as they take on top four rivals Canberra Raiders.
- The Roosters were ruthless in the 58-12 demolition, scoring 10 tries in the process but that was all the more impressive considering they spent the same amount of time with the ball as their opponents.
- In a further boost for the Roosters, five-eighth Luke Keary returns from injury to guide his side around the field and Angus Crichton is also back on the bench but the most notable inclusion is that of Sonny Bill Williams who will make his second debut for the club.
THE PREDICTION
All of the build-up surrounding this huge clash has been surrounding the return of Sonny Bill Williams as he makes his first appearance since re-joining Sydney Roosters on a short-term deal. He will hope to play a part from the bench for the defending premiers in a game they will see as a must-win against Canberra Raiders as they do battle for a spot in the top four. The two teams are level on points with just four matches to play so the result of this is likely to be significant in what was already a big clash between the 2019 Grand Final participants. The Raiders have improved of late but they were off last week and they will need to show big improvements on that effort with the Roosters’ 17 looking stronger every week and with that in mind, it is the Tricolours that can secure the important two points here.
