The Dragons are out to make amends for an Anzac Day demolition when they return to Allianz Stadium to face the Roosters in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster.
The Dragons suffered a 60-18 loss in the Round 8 clash in front of a packed stadium as they came crashing back to earth after an impressive start to the year.
Since then, Shane Flanagan’s side has hovered around the middle of the NRL ladder, winning four from seven games. They will enter Sunday’s clash sitting in eighth position.
The Roosters have continued to develop their attacking firepower since the Anzac Day win, scoring 80 more points than any other team in the competition this year.
Trent Robinson’s side is riding high after a comfortable 40-6 win over the Wests Tigers on Sunday night, with halfback Sam Walker setting a platform for his strike weapons to star.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to run out in his 307th NRL game for the Roosters, eclipsing Mitchell Aubusson as the club’s most capped player in their 116-year history.
In less positive news, the Roosters will be without centre Joseph Manu for the Dragons clash after he fractured his hand in last week’s victory.
Team News
Roosters: Following news that Joey Manu will miss a month after suffering two fractures in his hand last week, veteran Michael Jennings gets the call up to re-join the backline in the centres. Lindsay Collins takes back his starting role after coming off the bench in Round 17, with Terrell May reverting to the interchange.
Dragons: Just the one change to the side that downed the Dolphins with Blues winger Zac Lomax returning after being rested last weekend to get over a niggling shoulder issue. Jack Bird is listed among the reserves as he works his way back from an ankle injury suffered in Round 12.
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won 10 of their past 12 games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have conceded 87 points in two games at the new Allianz Stadium.
- Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored 10 tries in his past eight games.
- Dragons winger Zac Lomax has scored five tries in his past four games.
- Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will break the club’s all-time appearance record.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.