Round 1 Match Preview: Roosters Welcome Dolphins to the NRL

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Sat 4 Mar 2023, 12:25 PM

Your Sydney Roosters will kick-off their 2023 NRL campaign against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, honouring the great Arthur Beetson in the process, by battling for the inaugural Artie Legacy Medal.

Recent History: Sydney Roosters vs the Dolphins

One of the oldest, most prestigious, foundation clubs, the Sydney Roosters, meets the newest NRL team, the Dolphins in their maiden game. Both teams will be looking to open their season on a high note and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in 2023.

Trent Robinson dons the Red, White and Blue for his tenth consecutive season while Wayne Bennett returns to the coaches’ box this year in new colours, after spending 2022 recruiting players and building the Club.

Trent Robinson will commence his tenth consecutive season as Roosters head coach on Sunday.

On Sunday, the Dolphins will field an NRL team for the very first time, including Sean O’Sullivan as their halfback, who began his rugby league career at the Roosters. While the Tricolours resume their chase for another NRL title, led by captain James Tedesco, the squad will feature four Club debutants, Corey Allan, Jaxson Paulo, Brandon Smith and Jake Turpin as 18th man.

One thing both clubs do share in their history, is the memory of Arthur Beetson. The rugby league Immortal was a proud Queenslander with a life-long devotion to the Eastern Suburbs. Artie played an integral role in securing Premierships for both clubs, explaining in his autobiography that he always dreamed of seeing the Roosters and Dolphins play against each other in the NRL. He will get that wish on Sunday and will be honoured with a medal, awarded to the Player of the Match in game between both clubs forevermore.

How They Line Up

Trent Robinson’s side to face the Dolphins in the season opener includes four Roosters debutants. Corey Allan will play in the centres, with Jaxson Paulo on the wing and Brandon Smith at hooker, while Jake Turpin features as 18th man.

Captain James Tedesco will resume his position at fullback, with Tonga international Daniel Tupou to join Paulo in the Tricolours on the wings and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Allan will play in the number 3 and 4 jerseys respectively.

Luke Keary and 20-year-old Sam Walker join forces in the halves while the front row includes Lindsay Collins, Brandon Smith and Matt Lodge.

Sam Walker is excited to get the season underway.

The back-row features brothers Egan and Nat Butcher with newly re-signed Victor Radley to complete the starting side at lock.

Drew Hutchinson, Fletcher Baker, Naufahu Whyte and Terrell May make up the interchange, with Jake Turpin, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Sandon Smith and Junior Pauga named on the extended bench.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 5 Mar

Full Time

Dolphins

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Euan Aitken

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Brenko Lee

Centre for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi Niu

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Isaiya Katoa

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Jarrod Wallace

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Matthew Lodge
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Tom Gilbert

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls

Interchange for Roosters is number 4 Corey Allan
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Naufahu Whyte
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Connelly Lemuelu

Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Jake Turpin

Reserves

Replacement for Dolphins is number 19 Poasa Faamausili
Reserve for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:12 PM

All eyes will be on Dolphins five-eighth, 19-year-old Isaiya Katoa who was selected by Bennett to make his NRL debut after featuring for Tonga in the Rugby Legaue World Cup. The Red, White and Gold line-up will also include Jesse and Kenny Bromwich as well as Felise Kaufusi, who pack plenty of punch up the middle.

Key Match Up: Lindsay Collins vs Jesse Bromwich

Roosters enforcer Lindsay Collins goes head-to-head with Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich in the middle of the park to commence the NRL season.

Debuting for Australia in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, Collins sits undefeated on the international stage and will be looking to continue his dominant form into the Round 1 clash.

The 26-year-old made 512 tackles averaging 98 run metres across 16 appearances in 2022 and continues to improve in the Roosters engine room every week.

Lindsay Collins is will go toe-to-toe with Jesse Bromwich on Sunday.

His opposite starts the year, and his 14th NRL season, in new colours after departing the Melbourne Storm with his brother Kenny, to join the Dolphins. Bromwich has won 20 from 23 games at Suncorp Stadium.

In 2022, the 33-year-old played 23 games under Craig Bellamy, making 570 tackles and averaged 96 run metres per game, also representing the New Zealand Kiwis as their captain.

While Trent Robinson’s men look for an opening round win, keep your eyes on these two powerhouses, who will make all the difference in Sunday’s result.

What They Said:

"The expectation is that we want to win the comp and we don’t shy away from that. That’s our goal every year, and it’s been disappointing the past couple but I feel like we had a great pre-season, a lot of tough conversations and we’re looking forward to the year ahead." - Nat Butcher

"I think it’s really exciting coming from Brissy, there was always only one team that was there, and I think [their inclusion] is huge for the community to have another Club." – Sam Walker

"There’s a bit of history there as well, being the first team to play against them and also the history from our side with Artie Beetson, it’s exciting and we’re ready to go." – Lindsay Collins

Trent Robinson Media | Roosters vs Dolphins

Final Verdict

It’s predicted to be a first-round blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium between the Sydney Roosters as they introduce the Dolphins to the NRL on Sunday afternoon in memory of the great Arthur Beetson.

Both sides will be looking to start their season on the front foot, as winning momentum will come in handy as the second and third rounds approach. The Roosters hunt for another piece of silverware, the Artie Legacy Medal, to add to their decorated trophy cabinet, while the Dolphins players look to secure the memorabilia to signify their first achievement on the NRL stage.

You can purchase your tickets for Sunday’s game here. If you can’t make it to Suncorp Stadium, be sure to attend Easts Bondi Junction, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet Paul Momirovski, Sitili Tupouniua and Billy Smith and watch the game from Artie’s Bar.

There will be plenty of exciting giveaways and raffles throughout the afternoon at Easts, giving guests the chance to win one of two double passes to a Sydney Roosters home game and a $300 Roosters merchandise pack.

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