NRL Round 9 Preview and Prediction - New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters @ Mount Smart Stadium

New Zealand Warriors v Sydney Roosters @ Mount Smart Stadium

Preview - The Warriors are back at home to host the Roosters at Mount Smart Stadium after back-to-back road losses to the Raiders and Storm. With just 3 wins from their opening 8 games, the Warriors desperately need a win to stay in touch with the Top 8 as we head towards the middle part of the season. The Roosters are sitting pretty in the Top 4 after a memorable 13-12 victory in Golden Point on ANZAC Day. After a couple of poor losses, the Roosters have conceded just 18 points combined in their past two victories. 

History - The Warriors have a good record against the Roosters at Mount Smart Stadium, having won 10 from 16 clashes overall. The Warriors won both clashes last season, however they went right down to the wire. The Warriors claimed a 32-28 Golden Point win in Gosford before a tight 12-10 win at home later in the season. Before 2016, the Roosters had won the past 3 clashes between the sides. 

New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - Young winger Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad makes his debut on the wing after impressing in the lower grades. Ben Matulino returned to the side last week and put in a strong performance against the Storm, despite signing for the Tigers from next season onwards. 

Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - The Roosters have named an unchanged outfit from the side that has won back-to-back games. That means Joseph Manu retains his place in the centres, with no place for Latrell Michell. Mitchell Pearce further pressed his claims to win back his Origin jumper this season with the winning field goal against the Dragons. 

Verdict - Roosters in a close, high scoring game

I like the Roosters to get another win here despite this being a tough away trip. The Warriors, since Kieran Foran returned to the side, have improved, however they were well held by similarly strong teams in the Raiders and Storm in recent weeks. If this game happened a month or so ago I would be predicting a big win for the Roosters, however I think this game will be well contested and go right down to the wire. I think both sides’ attack might get on top of this game and both sides can score in the 20s, with the Roosters having a bit too much composure in the end.