Allianz Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 26 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs. Canberra Raiders game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday September 1, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Where: Allianz Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders Odds
Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders Preview
Potentially the match of the round, Sydney Roosters will be hellbent on retaining their recently acquired grip on second spot, while Canberra Raiders must win to have any chance of staying in the hectic scramble for eighth.
The Roosters have won eight of their last nine games, scoring 34-plus points in winning four straight against Manly, the Dolphins, Parramatta and Gold Coast.
The 48-22 cruise against the Titans featured an Angus Crichton hat-trick but came at a cost injury- and suspension-wise.
Joseph Suaalii (neck) and the suspended Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are out, but Connor Watson and Brandon Smith return. Michael Jennings will line up in the centres, Spencer Leniu starts at prop and Naufahu Whyte joins the bench.
Bouncing back from a three-match losing run that culminated in a horrible 42-4 loss to the Cowboys, the Raiders earned a thrilling 22-18 season-saver over the Panthers at home.
Xavier Savage scored two tries, including the late match-winner from a Matt Timoko intercept.
The Roosters have won seven of their last 11 against the Roosters, including a 44-16 beatdown in Canberra in Round 12 with James Tedesco and Joey Manu both grabbing doubles. Conversely, the Raiders have won all three of the teams encounters in Sydney since the 2019 NRL grand final.
Its not too hard to envisage the Raiders getting blown out here and they are 15.5-point underdogs. But if the visitors can carry the resolve they displayed last week and in recent performances like their narrow away loss to the Bulldogs the Roosters could be in for a torrid afternoon.
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Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders Tip
We're tipping Sydney Roosters to win at $1.12 odds.
Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders Teams
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Nat Butcher 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May 18. Sandon Smith 19. Siua Wong 20. Robert Toia 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Albert Hopoate 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Kaeo Weekes 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Corey Horsburgh 16. Ata Mariota 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Jed Stuart 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. Adam Cook 22. Trey Mooney