2020 NRL – Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders taking place? Friday 9th October, 2020 – 09:50 (UK)
Where is Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders taking place? Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
What is the expected weather for Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders? 18c, clear skies
What channel is Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders on? Sky Sports Mix 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 Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders? 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 Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, J. Morris, Manu, B. Morris, Keary, Flanagan, Waerea-Hargreaves, Friend, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Crichton, Lui – Interchanges: Collins, Tupouniua, Aubusson, Williams – Reserves: N. Butcher, Lam
Unavailable: Billy Smith (Injured), Victor Radley (Injured), Sam Verrills (Injured)
- Sydney Roosters looked shell-shocked as they surrendered an early ten-point lead against minor premiers Penrith Panthers and although they fought back later in the contest, the reigning premiers fell short and must defend their title the hard way.
- Despite the loss, the Roosters at least showed some real resolve to battle back from 28-10 down to end up losing by just a single point in the 29-28 reverse with errors proving costly as they completed at just 80% compared to the hosts’ figure of 95%.
- The Tricolours will now host Canberra Raiders for a spot in the preliminary finals and they have been able to name their first-choice 17 with the exception of long-term absentee Victor Radley as Jake Friend and Sonny Bill Williams are back in the side after sitting out with injuries last week.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Starting 13: Nicoll-Klokstad, Valemei, Croker, Rapana, Cotric, Wighton, G. Williams, Papalii, Starling, Soliola, Bateman, Whitehead, Tapine – Interchanges: Havili, Lui, Young, Harawira-Naera – Reserves: S. Williams, Timoko
Unavailable: Sebastian Kris (Illness), Corey Horsburgh (Injured), Emre Guler (Injured), Josh Hodgson (Injured), Bailey Simonsson (Injured), Curtis Scott (Injured), Ryan Sutton (Injured)
- Canberra Raiders were given a big scare by an enthusiastic start by Cronulla Sharks last week but a crucial intercept by George Williams just before half-time proved to be the turning point as they were able to halt the visitors’ momentum.
- Williams snatched Wade Graham’s pass with the Raiders trailing by eight but he managed to go over 50 metres to narrow the gap and Canberra were able to kick-on from that point as they sealed a 32-20 victory.
- The Raiders cannot afford to start slowly this week but they should learn some lessons from last week’s contest and head coach Ricky Stuart will be content with his side as he is able to name the same 17 that faced the Sharks.
THE PREDICTION
The season will end prematurely for one of last season’s grand finalists as Sydney Roosters host Canberra Raiders in this semi-final. Both teams will have ambitions of making it that far again, particularly the Roosters as defending premiers, but only one will give themselves a chance. Both teams were not at their best last week as the Roosters fell short against Penrith Panthers, but the Raiders did enough to overcome Cronulla Sharks to earn their progression. There is little to choose between these two teams but if the Tricolours can regain the defensive resolve that has served them so well in recent years, they can earn a fifth win in six matches against the Raiders and set up a clash with Melbourne Storm next week.
