NRL Round 13 Preview - Roosters v Tigers @ Allianz Stadium

Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers @ Allianz Stadium
 
Preview - Two 7-5 Clubs collide on Sunday afternoon, as the Tigers visit the understrength Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Roosters recovered from a slow start against the Titans to rally with a come from behind 34-14 victory, which solidified their place in the Top 8 for now with this testing Origin period upcoming.  The Tigers ground out an unconvincing but vital 14-10 victory over the Bulldogs, to remain in 8th position having been in the Top 8 for every single round of the competition so far through 12 rounds, which is a fair achievement for a Club that was considered Wooden Spoon favourites coming into the season. 
 
Sydney Roosters’ Scouting Report - The Roosters have a big job on their hands this week missing four of their big guns in  James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Boyd Cordner and Dylan Napa all on Origin duty. Blake Ferguson will be up for a big game, having missed out on NSW selection, moving to fullback,  Joey Manu shifts to centre, with a new wing pairing of Daniel Tupou who returns from injury. Matthew Ikuvalu debuts in the centres. Jared Waerea Hargreaves starts at prop and Victor Radley in the second row alongside the returning Ryan Matterson, with Isaac Liu at lock and Frank-Paul Nuuausala recalled on the bench.
 
Wests Tigers’ Scouting Report - The Tigers are at a big advantage to most Clubs this week having being unaffected by Origin. Ivan Cleary makes just the one change, with hooker Jacob Liddle out. Elijah Taylor moves to dummy half, with Matt Eisenhuth starting at lock and Tim Grant joining the bench.
 
Verdict - Tigers by 1

The Tigers really need to win this game. You couldn't play the Roosters at a better time with Tedesco, Mitchell, Cordner and Napa out though Origin. Cleary has built a squad of steady players that were never going to win Origin spots, so this is exactly the sort of game they need to win. The Roosters still have more stars on paper like Ferguson, Cronk and Keary than the Tigers, so I expect this game to be a real battle, but I’m going for the Tigers as I think they know they need this game if they want to maintain a chance of hanging with some of the more established sides in their battle to make the finals for the first time in 7 seasons.