The Bulldogs made it seven win in a row when they took a home game to the New Zealand city of Waikato last week and defeated the Warriors 16 – 12.
As the score-line suggested, it was a tough and physical contest that at times boiled over but such conditions seem to suit the Bulldogs better than other side in the competition and Brett Morris’ desperate diving try-saving tackle in the dying moments of the game, typifies the tenacity of the Bulldogs side.
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It was their eighth win of the season – their fifth by a margin of four points or less, and it keeps their place at the top of the competition ladder.
A number of those close victories have been largely due to the boot of half-back Trent Hodkinson who has slotted two game winning field goals and booted 35 goals at a whopping strike rate of 87%.
Hodkinson’s and Canterbury’s stellar start to the season has earned him and several of his team-mates, a start in next week’s first State Of Origin match meaning their regular line-up for this match against the Roosters, has been altered dramatically.
His halves partner Josh Reynolds, centre Morris and forward Tony Williams, will also be missing due to Origin duty. Moses Mbye and Reni Maitua – who plays his first game in 2014, come into the halves and also making his season debut is Krisnan Inu who takes Morris’ spot.
ROOSTERS
The Roosters suffered their fifth and worse loss of the season when handed a 42 – 10 hiding by the Cowboys in Townsville in round 10.
The Roosters were never in the hunt, trailing 18 – nil after as many minutes and were only able to conjure two tries – including one in the final minute of the game
It continued a worrying trend this season for the Roosters where by if they don’t score first or early, their confidence in attack seems to fall away and they struggle to produce points.
At their best, they can pile on the points and dumped Blues halves pairing of James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, who missed last week’s game due to an off-field incident, will be out to prove the selectors wrong with a big game here.
The Roosters will line up for the Blues are centre Michael Jennings and debutante Daniel Tupou who between them, have scored ten of the Rooster’s thirty-six tries this season and have their positions filled by Mitch Aubusson and Samisoni Langi
HEAD TO HEAD
The Bulldogs won 9 – 8 when the two sides met in round 5 of this year but unlike this Friday’s encounter, both teams were at full strength.
The previous eight games between the two clubs have produced a total match score of 38 points or more.
WRAP
The Roosters should account for a depleted Canterbury outfit here and at their best, do so comfortably.
The Bulldogs have only scored more the 16 points twice in their past six matches (St. George and Warriors) and with their regular halves pairing missing this game, against the Roosters defence which is one of the better in the league, points may prove not easy to come by.
The Roosters have no excuse not to produce their best here. Coming off a disappointing loss and the sting to some of their players who missed out on an Origin spot, should sting them into top gear.
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Odds Comparison:
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| Canterbury Bulldogs | 2.95 | 2.95 | 2.90 | 2.95 | 2.95 | 2.90 |
| Sydney Roosters | 1.42 | 1.42 | 1.43 | 1.42 | 1.42 | 1.42 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Teams:
Bulldogs: 
Sam Perrett, Mitch Brown, Chase Stanley, Timoteo Lafai, Krisnan Inu, Reni Maitua, Moses Mbye, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, James Graham, Josh Jackson, Dale Finucane, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Pat O’Hanlon, Tim Browne, David Klemmer, Sam Kasiano, Corey Thompson, Lachlan Burr
Roosters:
