Two sides coming off emotion-charged victories will square off in front of a mammoth Go Media Stadium crowd on Friday night.
After a poor showing against the Raiders in Vegas, the Warriors were given little hope against Manly but produced one of their finest wins in recent memory to get home 36-16.
Likewise the Roosters were coming off a demoralising Round 1 loss when they took on the might of the Panthers, but with James Tedesco at his inspirational best they stunned the defending champs 38-32 to restore pride in the jersey.
The Roosters’ forward stocks are in for a boost with Lindsay Collins (illness),
Spencer Leniu (suspension) and Victor Radley (concussion protocol) all set to return for the trip across the Tasman.
The last time the Roosters ventured to Go Media Stadium in Round 9, 2023 they produced a defensive masterclass to shut out the Warriors 14-0, with Egan Butcher, Nat Butcher and Victor Radley racking up 153 tackles between them.
Match: Warriors v Roosters
ROUND 3 – FRIDAY 21ST MARCH
12:00am
home Team
Warriors
10thPosition
away Team
Roosters
13thPosition
Venue:Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
WatchNRL
Team Lists
Get Tickets
Team News
Warriors: Having put the train back on the tracks against Manly, the Warriors stick with the same 17 to face the Roosters. Experienced trio Rocco Berry, Bunty Afoa and Freddy Lussick dropped out of the squad 24 hours before kick-off with 18th man Jacob Laban and Te Maire Martin retained.
Roosters: Two changes in Thursday’s 24-hour update with Lindsay Collins dropping out having not returned to full function post-illness while Salesi Foketi failed in his bid to have a Careless High Tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary on Tuesday night and has been suspended for two games. Hugo Savala and Makahesi Makatoa are the new faces on the bench. Spencer Leniu (suspension) and lock Victor Radley (concussion protocol) are back on deck. Ethan Roberts is 18th man.
ROUND 3 – FRIDAY 21ST MARCH
12:00am
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Roosters
TEAM LISTS
BACKS
Fullback for Warriors is number 1Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
1
Fullback for Roosters is number 1James Tedesco
Winger for Warriors is number 2Taine Tuaupiki
2
Winger for Roosters is number 2Daniel Tupou
Centre for Warriors is number 3Ali Leiataua
3
Centre for Roosters is number 3Mark Nawaqanitawase
Centre for Warriors is number 4Adam Pompey
4
Centre for Roosters is number 4Robert Toia
Winger for Warriors is number 5Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
5
Winger for Roosters is number 5Dominic Young
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6Chanel Harris-Tavita
6
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6Sandon Smith
Halfback for Warriors is number 7Luke Metcalf
7
Halfback for Roosters is number 7Chad Townsend
FORWARDS
Prop for Warriors is number 8James Fisher-Harris
8
Prop for Roosters is number 8Spencer Leniu
Hooker for Warriors is number 9Wayde Egan
9
Hooker for Roosters is number 9Connor Watson
Prop for Warriors is number 10Mitchell Barnett
10
Prop for Roosters is number 10Naufahu Whyte
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11Kurt Capewell
11
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11Angus Crichton
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12Marata Niukore
12
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12Siua Wong
Lock for Warriors is number 13Erin Clark
13
Lock for Roosters is number 13Victor Radley
INTERCHANGE
Interchange for Warriors is number 14Dylan Walker
14
Interchange for Roosters is number 14Zach Dockar-Clay
Interchange for Warriors is number 15Jackson Ford
15
16
Interchange for Roosters is number 16Blake Steep
Interchange for Warriors is number 16Demitric Vaimauga
16
18
Interchange for Roosters is number 18Hugo Savala
Interchange for Warriors is number 17Leka Halasima
17
21
Interchange for Roosters is number 21Makahesi Makatoa
RESERVES
Replacement for Warriors is number 18Jacob Laban
18
22
Replacement for Roosters is number 22Ethan Roberts
Reserve for Warriors is number 20Te Maire Martin
20
Reserve for Roosters is number 20Billy Smith
Warriors Ins
Jacob Laban
Te Maire Martin
INS
Roosters Ins
Billy Smith
Spencer Leniu
Victor Radley
Warriors Outs
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
OUTS
Roosters Ins
Salesi Foketi
Taylor Losalu
Match Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy