2020 Finals Week 2 V Roosters: Teams and Previews *Teams p1*

[greeneyed]

2020 Finals Week 2 V Roosters: Teams and Previews



Canberra Raiders V Sydney Roosters
Sydney Cricket Ground
Friday 9 October, 7:50pm
TV coverage: Nine, Fox League Channel 502
Radio: ABC, 2CC, Mix 106.3

Who would you like to see line up for the Green Machine in Week 2 of the finals? Tell us your team here and see how you go in comparison to the official squad when announced. We will include the official line ups in the first post of this thread as soon as they're available.

OFFICIAL SQUADS

Canberra Raiders

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Semi Valemei
3. Jarrod Croker (C)
4. Jordan Rapana
5. Nick Cotric
6. Jack Wighton
7. George Williams
8. Josh Papalii
9. Tom Starling
10. Sia Soliola
11. John Bateman
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Joe Tapine

14. Siliva Havili
15. Dunamis Lui
16. Hudson Young
17. Corey Harawira-Naera

18. Sam Williams
19. Matt Timoko
20. Kai O’Donnell
21. Michael Oldfield

Injury/Suspension

Corey Horsburgh, Foot (Indefinite, possibly season)
Emre Guler, Ankle (Indefinite, likely season)
Ryan Sutton, Knee, MCL (Season)
Bailey Simonsson, Shoulder (Season)
Josh Hodgson, Knee, ACL (Season)
Curtis Scott, Leg (Season)
Andre Niko, Knee (Season)
Sebastian Kris, Extended personal leave

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Josh Morris
4. Joseph Manu
5. Brett Morris
6. Luke Keary
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Jack Friend
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Angus Crichton
13. Isaac Liu

14. Lindsay Collins
15. Sitili Tupouniua
16. Mitchell Aubusson
17. Sonny Bill Williams

18. Nat Butcher
19. Daniel Fifita
20. Matt Ikulvalu
21. Lachlan Lam

Match Hashtags: #NRL #WeareRaiders #NRLRoostersRaiders

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[Makaveli]

No extra motivation needed for this one.

Hope the boys give it to them and send them packing

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[Roger Kenworthy]

I'd pick Havili and Lui to start this one. I'd also have Timoko at right centre but that's probably unfair chucking him into that position in such a huge match.

[Campo's good knee]

Simi was pour tonight, will be exposed against roosters
Jordan is playing out of portion

Team for Next week
Simi out of team
Jordan wing
Bateman centers
Cory backrow
Timo bench
Thoughts??


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[radicalraider]

Semi can't be in the team next week. Our edge defense needs to improve through a change of personnel. Same backs won't beat Morris and manu.

[Pete Cash]

If Flanagan plays we HAVE to run a lot of plays through him. Have Tapine run a bit wider at times. I also think we want Jack to try and target him a fair bit too. Kikau gave him a bath but it wasn't just Kikaus size he was making very poor reads in defense over and over again.

We will be under dogs. Give it the best crack we can.

[Northern Raider]

I'd pick Havili and Lui to start this one. I'd also have Timoko at right centre but that's probably unfair chucking him into that position in such a huge match.

Rapana is a bit lost playing centre. Semi was like a deer in headlights tonight. Bringing Timoko into centre and shifting Rapana to the wing could address both issues. Timoko may be a risk bit no more than the the current set up.

[Finchy]

Simi was pour tonight, will be exposed against roosters
Jordan is playing out of portion

Team for Next week
Simi out of team
Jordan wing
Bateman centers
Cory backrow
Timo bench
Thoughts??


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Simi? Pour? Portion?

[radicalraider]

Soliola out if Corey comes in

[-TW-]

Simi was pour tonight, will be exposed against roosters
Jordan is playing out of portion

Team for Next week
Simi out of team
Jordan wing
Bateman centers
Cory backrow
Timo bench
Thoughts??


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I think I caught cancer reading that

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[Dr Zaius]

Rapa needs to go back to the wing. Either swap him and Cotric, or bring in Timoko and relegate Semi

[BVRaider]

1. Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Rapana
3. Croker
4. Bateman
5. Cotric
6. Wighton
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Starling
10. Lui
11. Whitehead
12. Young
13. Tapine

14. Havili
15. Soliola
16. Harawira-Naera
17. Oldfield

18. O'Donnell
19. Horsburgh

[pickles]

No need for wholesale changes, trust the team to do the job. They’ll get the job done. Rapana can’t have two games that bad in a row!

[Crusader]

trust in Ricky.........we will be ready for this game, forget this sharks performance, its done, WE. WILL. BE. READY!!!!!

[Northern Raider]

trust in Ricky.........we will be ready for this game, forget this sharks performance, its done, WE. WILL. BE. READY!!!!!

He needs some form of adversity thrust upon us this week so he can dip into his "everybody hates us" bag again.

[TongueFTW]

Interesting finals game yesterday. Even at 14-6 down, I just wasn’t that concerned. I suspect the week off will help further down the track, in the first game (and in particular, first half) it was always a risk that it would take a little while to find our feet. Storm were similar last night.

I am sure I will have more thoughts as we get closer to the game, but right now for me the main thing is - we have to target Keary. I am all for bashing it up the middle against the Roosters, as they haven’t been great defensively there, but it is essential we test Keary out, too. I have a friend who is close to the inner circle at the Roosters - it’s a much worse rib injury than they are letting on. You can even tell when he is playing, he is playing in a dinner suit, and there is some serious padding around his ribs. We really need to run at him with players like Tapine, Young and Papa - and make sure he hits the ground every time he passes or kicks. Last time we played them we barely got at him, it was disappointing. Rugby league 101, but you run plays at him, then, once the second rower starts to overprotect, you hit that hole. Easier said than done (and we aren’t great for putting set plays on the right side), but we have to try. Of course, don’t go there too early or without momentum generated through the middle, but we need to get at him, particularly early.

Couple of other points:

* Their left side is so dangerous. We need to give our right winger protection against Tupou on kicks. It seems they score, or get close to scoring, off that play every time we play them. Kicker needs to be pressured and the centre/fullback need to be providing as much protection as possible. Give a penalty away and back our defence if we have to.
* I would be kicking away from Tedesco as much as possible, and kicking at Morris. We did this well in the GF - we won’t get mistakes from Morris, but he is the weakest ball carrier out of the back 3. Wighton’s kicking on the left is crucial.
* Crichton has been great for them since coming back, but his edge defence can be suspect. If they go with him on the right edge like they did against the Panthers, his combination with Flanagan should give us some joy. In saying all of this, we need our forwards to win the battle in the middle before we target specific areas.

[benda]

Raiders v sharkes wasnt as physical or emotional as panthers v roosters. We got that advantage coming into game for sure.

Let's move forward with the same boys. Papalii needs to play like he did the second half last night. His first half was rubbish.

[IBG]

1. CNK
5. Cotric
3. Croker
12. Whitehead
4. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Starling
15. Soliola
11. Bateman
17. CHN
13. Tapine

14. Havili
10. Lui
16. Young
17. Valemei

That's how I'd go. Name the same team but start Whitehead in the centres and Rapana on the wing. You can always bring Valemei on but I'd prefer Whitehead's defence out wide. Yes I'm aware it's on the opposite side but Whitehead is smart enough to get the job done. Plus Batty and Whitehead playing next to each other could work really well.

The Roosters will expose Semi if he starts. I like the kid but he is not there yet.

[Azza]

1. CNK
5. Cotric
3. Croker
12. Whitehead
4. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Starling
15. Soliola
11. Bateman
17. CHN
13. Tapine

14. Havili
10. Lui
16. Young
17. Valemei

That's how I'd go. Name the same team but start Whitehead in the centres and Rapana on the wing. You can always bring Valemei on but I'd prefer Whitehead's defence out wide. Yes I'm aware it's on the opposite side but Whitehead is smart enough to get the job done. Plus Batty and Whitehead playing next to each other could work really well.

The Roosters will expose Semi if he starts. I like the kid but he is not there yet.

Don't mind the lineup but if we went that way there's no point having semi on the bench IMO

[Wiki Special]

We can beat the Roosters on Friday night and if we do I believe we will win the Premiership. In fact, I believe the winner of this game will be the 2020 Premiers and it is going to be our toughest test of the lot.

[Wiki Special]

1. CNK
5. Cotric
3. Croker
12. Whitehead
4. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Starling
15. Soliola
11. Bateman
17. CHN
13. Tapine

14. Havili
10. Lui
16. Young
17. Valemei

That's how I'd go. Name the same team but start Whitehead in the centres and Rapana on the wing. You can always bring Valemei on but I'd prefer Whitehead's defence out wide. Yes I'm aware it's on the opposite side but Whitehead is smart enough to get the job done. Plus Batty and Whitehead playing next to each other could work really well.

The Roosters will expose Semi if he starts. I like the kid but he is not there yet.

Don't mind the lineup but if we went that way there's no point having semi on the bench IMO

Yeah, however we do it we need Rapana back on the wing in my opinion. He is still a very good NRL winger but his defence at centre is questionable. Cordner and J. Morris will be targeting him all night at right centre.

[-GD-]

Hopefully Oldfield is fit

[Dusty]

I’d go with this:

1. CNK
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Timoko
5. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. G. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Starling
10. Lui
11. Bateman
12. Whitehead
13. Tapine

14. Havili
15. Young
16. Soliola
17. CHN

18. Oldfield
19. Valemei
20. S. Williams
21. O’Donnell

I really like Valemei but I think Rapana needs to be on the wing. Timoko into Right centre.


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[Dusty]

I’d go with this:

1. CNK
2. Cotric
3. Croker
4. Timoko
5. Rapana
6. Wighton
7. G. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Starling
10. Lui
11. Bateman
12. Whitehead
13. Tapine

14. Havili
15. Young
16. Soliola
17. CHN

18. Oldfield
19. Valemei
20. S. Williams
21. O’Donnell

I really like Valemei but I think Rapana needs to be on the wing. Timoko into Right centre.


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Or Cotric to Right centre, Val and Rapa on the wings. Cotric wasn’t great out of trouble
last night.


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[jimmy82]

Same team but havili to start, starling on the bench.
Stick won’t change semi and Rapana now especially for someone who hasn’t played in weeks (oldfield) and won’t play Timoko in a high stakes game like this.
They will work on the Semi/Rapana combo this week no doubt.
Solilola will be better for the run this week.

[BadnMean]

I'd pick Havili and Lui to start this one. I'd also have Timoko at right centre but that's probably unfair chucking him into that position in such a huge match.

Same.

But Rapana will keep the spot and just have to remember to be less of a lunatic in defence. On the wing you can rush in to squash a play and even if you bounce off, there's no one outside you and it all gets rounded up. He rushes in and doesn't stick it from centre and there's holes either side- carnage.

[Dr Zaius]

I'd pick Havili and Lui to start this one. I'd also have Timoko at right centre but that's probably unfair chucking him into that position in such a huge match.

Same.

But Rapana will keep the spot and just have to remember to be less of a lunatic in defence. On the wing you can rush in to squash a play and even if you bounce off, there's no one outside you and it all gets rounded up. He rushes in and doesn't stick it from centre and there's holes either side- carnage.

I think that's a fair point. Penrith have been outstanding, but I think that they have been performing at their ceiling. Us, the Roosters and arguably Parra have another gear. Penrith are deserved favourites, but this competition is still wide open.

[BadnMean]

I'd pick Havili and Lui to start this one. I'd also have Timoko at right centre but that's probably unfair chucking him into that position in such a huge match.

Same.

But Rapana will keep the spot and just have to remember to be less of a lunatic in defence. On the wing you can rush in to squash a play and even if you bounce off, there's no one outside you and it all gets rounded up. He rushes in and doesn't stick it from centre and there's holes either side- carnage.

I think that's a fair point. Penrith have been outstanding, but I think that they have been performing at their ceiling. Us, the Roosters and arguably Parra have another gear. Penrith are deserved favourites, but this competition is still wide open.

I'd certainly agree all the sides mentioned are a decent shot of beating any other in a given finals game, even if one team might win a hypothetical 7/10 times. I tend to think Parra might find it hard to keep up with the rest if Sivo is injured. And I keep waiting for Penrifs bubble to burst but it ain't.

[RTW]

Does anyone know what kept Friend out of this weeks game?

Was it as a result of failing concussion protocols or does he have a facial fracture?


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[Raiders_Pat]

I think we can get the job done lining up with the same team this week but I must say I do have doubts about going all the way with Valemei on the wing for the rest of the finals. We've got a situation at the moment where we have three international second rowers and one of them is having to come off the bench... If one of them can shift one out to centre, we should capitalise on the opportunity to play them all on the field at once. My set up would have all the English lads on the right with CHN going to the left side.
1. Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Rapana
3. Croker
4. Bateman
5. Cotric
6. Wighton
7. G. Williams
8. Papalii
9. Starling
10. Lui
11. Whitehead
12. Harawira-Naera
13. Tapine

14. Havili
15. Young
16. Soliola
17. Possibly not a bad idea to have a back in the final spot in this particular set up

I'd be very surprised to see this lineup tbh but I'd be much more confident if we ran out a team like this for the remainder of the finals.

[bonehead]

with Tupou in the air i don't think contesting him is the answer, I think you need to catch him in the air and out him out

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[gangrenous]

with Tupou in the air i don't think contesting him is the answer, I think you need to catch him in the air and out him out

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Can’t tackle an attacking player in the air any more as of this year.

Think your best bet is just to try and hit the ball out if they get one in the right spot for Tupou. You’ve got to contest.

[The Nickman]

You blokes are deadset all off your heads. I hope Sticky names an unchanged lineup and I’m pretty sure he will.

More like bag all the players out forum.

[Finchy]

What are people's thoughts on Sia, Starling, and Papa starting?

Sia looked gassed after 5 mins, and I don't think he came back after his first stint.

Starling is most effective after the first 20-30 mins, when he can probe around the tired forwards and run amok. I'm not sure playing him for 80 mins is the most effective way to use his skill set.

Papa also seems a bit wasted starting. Ever since the COVID break, our starts tend to be terrible and lethargic, often doing a stack more defence than the opposition, conceding first points, and being behind at half time. I really think Papa is best used between the 20-40 min mark and 60-80 min mark. I think he's better suited to charging up the middle against tired forwards rather than the first 20 min bash which results in us struggling to make metres and tackling twice as much as the opposition.

[-PJ-]

Simi was pour tonight, will be exposed against roosters
Jordan is playing out of portion

Team for Next week
Simi out of team
Jordan wing
Bateman centers
Cory backrow
Timo bench
Thoughts??


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Thoughts ?

Put Billy down..sober up and get a grip..