The official team lists are in for Roosters vs Wests Tigers, with James Tedesco returning at fullback for the Roosters while the Tigers lose Adam Doueihi to season-ending shoulder surgery. Those changes create some clear anytime try scorer and player-prop opportunities for punters.
Biggest Winners – Roosters
James Tedesco
Tedesco returns after two games out with an ankle injury and has scored five tries in his past five games against the Tigers.
Our Tip: James Tedesco – Anytime Try Scorer
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Nawaqanitawase remains on the wing in a Roosters attack featuring Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker. Against a Tigers side sitting 14th, he should get opportunities.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Billy Smith
Smith has scored five tries in his past four games at Allianz Stadium, making his home-ground record particularly interesting for this matchup.
Our Tip: Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Losers – Roosters
Cody Ramsey
Tedesco’s return pushes Ramsey from fullback to the interchange after he filled in during the captain’s absence.
Betting Impact: Ramsey’s reduced and uncertain minutes make his individual markets much less attractive.
Roosters Middle
Terrell May and Fonua Pole give the Tigers plenty of power through the middle, while Alex Twal also returns at lock.
Our Tip: Terrell May – Over Run Metres
Roosters Edge Defence
Jahream Bula and Jarome Luai remain the Tigers’ biggest attacking threats, while Solomone Saukuru retains his place after making his NRL debut last week.
Our Tip: Jahream Bula – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Winners – Wests Tigers
Jock Madden
Doueihi’s shoulder surgery hands Madden the No.7 jersey for his first NRL appearance since Round 18.
Our Tip: Jock Madden – 1+ Try Assist
Jeral Skelton
Skelton comes onto the wing with Sunia Turuva named on the interchange after battling a knee issue last week. That immediately makes Skelton the more attractive try-scoring option of the two.
Our Tip: Jeral Skelton – Anytime Try Scorer
Alex Twal
Twal returns from illness and goes straight back into the starting side at lock, with Sione Fainu shifting to the bench.
Our Tip: Alex Twal – Over Tackles
Biggest Losers – Wests Tigers
Adam Doueihi
Doueihi is headed for season-ending shoulder surgery, forcing another change to the Tigers’ halves combination.
Our Tip: Roosters – Over Team Total Points
Sunia Turuva
Turuva has been named on the interchange after battling a knee problem late in the Dragons game. The bench role significantly reduces his appeal in try-scoring markets.
Betting Impact: I’d avoid Turuva’s anytime market and target the Tigers’ starting outside backs instead.
Tigers Edge Defence
The Tigers now have Jeral Skelton starting on one wing while Patrick Herbert and Saukuru form the centre combination. They face a Roosters backline strengthened considerably by Tedesco’s return.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Early Betting Verdict
The strongest team-list angle is Tedesco’s return against a Tigers side missing Doueihi and reshuffling its outside backs. The Roosters have also won 18 of their past 20 games against Wests Tigers, giving their attacking markets plenty of appeal.
James Tedesco – Anytime Try Scorer
Tedesco returns directly to fullback and has crossed five times in his past five matches against the Tigers.
Our Tip: James Tedesco – Anytime Try Scorer
Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
The Tigers’ changes out wide make Nawaqanitawase one of the Roosters players I’d target if they dominate possession.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Smith’s Allianz Stadium record is the attraction, with five tries from his past four appearances at the venue.
Our Tip: Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Sam Walker – Try Assists
Tedesco’s return gives Walker his premier support runner back, while Nawaqanitawase, Smith and the Roosters’ edge forwards provide plenty of finishing options.
Our Tip: Sam Walker – 1+ Try Assist
Jahream Bula – Anytime Try Scorer
If we’re looking for a Tigers player rather than loading up exclusively on the Roosters, Bula is the one I’d target. His support play gives him opportunities even if the Tigers don’t spend long periods attacking the Roosters’ line.
Our Tip: Jahream Bula – Anytime Try Scorer
Terrell May – Run Metres
Against his former club, May should again carry a large workload through the middle and is the Tigers forward I’d prefer in the metre markets.
Our Tip: Terrell May – Over Run Metres
Best Bet From The Team Lists
James Tedesco – Anytime Try Scorer
Tedesco’s return is the biggest positive on either team sheet. He goes straight back into the No.1 jersey, the Roosters have won 18 of their past 20 against the Tigers, and he has personally scored five tries in his past five against them.
Our Tip: James Tedesco – Anytime Try Scorer
The 2+ Tries market is also worth checking with Sportsbet and TAB for punters looking for a bigger price.
Value Bet
Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
Smith’s five tries from his past four matches at Allianz Stadium gives us a strong venue-based angle without simply doubling down on Tedesco.
Our Tip: Billy Smith – Anytime Try Scorer
