Sydney Roosters 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>After a modest 6th placed finish last season, the Roosters are gearing up for a massive 2023.</p> <p>They have finally settled on their preferred halves pairing, have&nbsp; injured stars Luke Keary and Victor Radley back on deck and have found their long-term Jake Friend replacement.</p> <p>Add to this the late season form of gun outside backs Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii and 2023 is shaping up very nicely indeed for the Tri-Colours.</p> <p>With the exception of a certain superstar Kiwi dummy half, the Sydney Roosters’ predicted team for round one shouldn’t feature too many unfamiliar faces.</p> <p>Settled and stronger than ever, is this the year the Roosters return to the top of the rugby league mountain? Read our Sydney Roosters preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><em><strong>Corey Allan (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Jaxson Paulo (South Sydney Rabbitohs)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Brandon Smith (Melbourne Storm)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Jake Turpin (Brisbane Broncos)</strong></em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kiwi cannonball Brandon Smith headlines the Roosters recruitment drive, signing on from the Melbourne Storm.</p> <p>Joining him are outside backs Corey Allan and Jaxson Paulo as well as fellow No.9 Jake Turpin who will assume the role of backup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><em><strong>Siosiua Taukeiaho (Catalan Dragons)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Renouf Atoni (Wakefield Trinity)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Kevin Naiqama (Huddersfield Giants)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Sam Verrills (Gold Coast Titans)</strong></em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Like a bunch of 20-somethings taking a gap year, Europe is calling for four former Roosters. Siosiua Taukeiaho, Renouf Atoni, Lachlan Lam and Kevin Naiqama have all decided to give the Super League a crack.</p> <p>Elsewhere, young dummy half Sam Verrills has relocated to the Gold Coast after realising he is unlikely to see much game time with Brandon Smith signing on for the upcoming season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Brandon Smith</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>“The Cheese” as he is known, will attempt to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Dally M winner Nicho Hynes and make a successful transition from the Melbourne Storm to a rival club.</p> <p>Just like Hynes, Smith found himself coming off the pine, stuck behind Harry Grant, despite easily possessing the ability to be a starter himself.</p> <p>Leaving the Storm can go one of two ways, the way of Hynes or the way of Brodie Croft. Smith will be hoping his departure is more in line with Hynes than Brodie Croft, who’s ill-fated stint in Brisbane was so bad it is still enough to send shivers down the spine of every Broncos’ fan.</p> <p>Roosters supporters shouldn’t sweat though, Smith is a proven performer at international level proving he doesn’t need the confines of the Melbourne system to thrive.</p> <p>Everything he does is at a million miles an hour and he will bring unmatched energy and aggression to the middle of the Roosters’ ruck.</p> <p>Ever since Jake Friend called time on his storied career, the Roosters have been crying out for a top tier hooker and if all goes according to plan Smith could very well be the missing piece of their premiership puzzle.</p>

<h3>Sydney Roosters Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish:</em><strong><em> 1st</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It has been three years since the Roosters have tasted premiership glory. That isn’t very long when you compare it to the premiership droughts of teams like the Eels and the Raiders, but to head coach and renowned perfectionist Trent Robinson it would feel like a lifetime.</p> <p>For Robinson his two biggest concerns ahead of the new season will be the health of his player and the Penrith Panthers.</p> <p>Over the last few years, the Chooks' title aspirations have consistently been derailed by injuries.</p> <p>While the core of the team are all set to take to the field for round 1, lingering issues for Connor Watson and Sitili Tupouniua mean not everyone will be available for the Tri-colours curtain raiser against the Dolphins.</p> <p>Even with all hands-on deck, trying to break the stranglehold the Panthers have on the competition is a daunting task.</p> <p>If anyone can do it though, it’s this Roosters side. So don’t be surprised to see the Chooks sitting pretty on top of the ladder come the end of the season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Sydney Roosters Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>James Tedesco</li> <li>Daniel Tupou</li> <li>Paul Momirovski</li> <li>Joey Manu</li> <li>Joseph Suaalii</li> <li>Luke Keary</li> <li>Sam Walker</li> <li>Jared Waerea-Hargreaves</li> <li>Brandon Smith</li> <li>Lindsay Collins</li> <li>Angus Crichton</li> <li>Nat Butcher</li> <li>Victor Radley</li> <li>Drew Hutchison</li> <li>Terrell May</li> <li>Egan Butcher</li> <li>Fletcher Baker</li> </ol>