NRL Opta facts: Roosters hoping to address poor ANZAC Day record
April 24, 2019 11:37 MYT
Round seven of the 2019 NRL campaign gets under way on ANZAC Day, with two of the joint-leaders in action.
Defending champions Sydney Roosters ended Melbourne Storm's perfect start to the season last week in a repeat of the 2018 Grand Final, the holders bringing themselves level on 10 points with the Storm thanks to a last-gasp 21-20 triumph.
On Thursday the Roosters host St George Illawarra Dragons, against whom they have a poor record in meetings on ANZAC Day, while Melbourne are seeking to continue their dominance of recent fixtures with New Zealand Warriors.
Canberra Raiders and South Sydney Rabbitohs are the other two sides with five wins from the opening six matches and, with the help of Opta data, we take a look at the next round of action.
THURSDAY
Sydney Roosters (5-1) v St George Illawarra Dragons (4-2)
- St George Illawarra Dragons have won eight of their past 11 NRL games against Sydney Roosters on ANZAC Day, including a 24-8 victory last year.
ANZAC MOMENTS | The classic rivalry v Be there when the next chapter is written! Tickets- https://t.co/oDBQIZ9RP1#EastsToWin #AnzacCup pic.twitter.com/xxIBgPLhJ4
— Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) April 23, 2019
Melbourne Storm (5-1) v New Zealand Warriors (2-4)
- Melbourne Storm have won their previous six encounters against New Zealand Warriors, by an average margin of 20 points per game.
FRIDAY
Canterbury Bulldogs (1-5) v North Queensland Cowboys (2-4)
- North Queensland Cowboys are the only team in NRL 2019 yet to concede a penalty for a high tackle.
Penrith Panthers (2-4) v South Sydney Rabbitohs (5-1)
- Penrith Panthers have won three of their previous four games against South Sydney Rabbitohs at Panthers Stadium, with each of their last three meetings at the venue decided by a margin of four points or fewer.
Wayne Bennett reveals a solid line up for our #ANZAC Round 7 clash against the Panthers, proudly brought to you by @PlayUpGlobal #GoRabbitohs #NRLPanthersSouths #PlayUp pic.twitter.com/9Ob4GQLVP2
— South Sydney Rabbitohs (@SSFCRABBITOHS) April 23, 2019
SATURDAY
Wests Tigers (3-3) v Gold Coast Titans (2-4)
- Gold Coast Titans have won five of their past six NRL games against Wests Tigers, including a 30-12 triumph when they last met in Round 16, 2018.
Brisbane Broncos (1-5) v Cronulla Sharks (3-3)
- Brisbane Broncos have lost their previous four NRL games heading into this fixture - the last time they endured a longer losing streak in the competition was a six-match span from Round 20 to Round 25 in 2012.
SUNDAY
Manly Sea Eagles (3-3) v Canberra Raiders (5-1)
- Manly Sea Eagles have scored a joint competition-high 12 tries through the middle third in NRL 2019, while only the Storm (two) have conceded fewer tries through this corridor.
Four @RaidersCanberra players feature in https://t.co/KVXhz2S1jk's Team of the Week for #NRL Round 6!https://t.co/ODGpGbj7Kz pic.twitter.com/0N0QaFRSVY
— NRL (@NRL) April 24, 2019
Newcastle Knights (1-5) v Parramatta Eels (4-2)
- Newcastle Knights have won 10 of their last 12 NRL games against Parramatta Eels, including their last three on the bounce by an average margin of 16 points.