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Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters NRL Tips - Roosters to make it four straight wins over Phins

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu 07 Aug 2025 13:23

Andrew Hendrie 07 Aug 2025

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Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 23 game
Kick off is at 5.30pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium
Roosters chasing fourth consecutive win over Dolphins
Daniel Tupou has scored seven tries in his last six games; will be a threat again out wide & in the air
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters, NRL Round 23 - Expert Prediction

The Dolphins welcome the Roosters to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night in a showdown that could have huge finals ramifications.

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters, NRL Round 23 - Expert Prediction
Head To Head
Dolphins Form Analysis
Dolphins Team News
Dolphins Team List
Roosters Form Analysis
Roosters Team News
Roosters Team List

Chasing their first ever finals appearance, the Dolphins are currently in eighth spot on the ladder with an outstanding points differential of +171, while the Roosters - who started the season by leaking 50 points to the Broncos and going 1-4 across their first five games - are two points behind as they continue their charge. Due to their superior points differential, the Dolphins would go a long way to booking their finals ticket by winning this match - however, I'm backing the Chooks to emerge triumphant.

While all the talk (rightly so) has been about the Rabbitohs' catastrophic injury toll, the Dolphins have been dealing with their own growing casualty ward. Gun centre Herbie Farnworth is the latest to go down with a torn hamstring, while Felise Kaufusi is also suspended from last week, joining the likes of Thomas Flegler, Tom Gilbert, Jack Bostock, Max Plath and Daniel Saifiti on the sideline for this clash. That's a lot of firepower and forward talent missing, while I wasn't too impressed with the Dolphins needing a last-second try to beat a supremely out-of-form Warriors side last week.

The Roosters meanwhile have won the last three meetings between the teams, including a 36-26 triumph in Magic Round earlier this season. Trent Robinson's side were clinical in toppling Manly on the road last week and were unlucky not to beat Melbourne the previous round. With their season on the line, I think the Roosters can use their experience from the likes of James Tedesco, Angus Crichton, Lindsay Collins and Daniel Tupou (back him to continue his red-hot tryscoring form as Sam Walker continues to target him in the air) to get them over the line in a high-scoring encounter.

Roosters have won their last three games vs Dolphins
The last two meetings have seen 62 & 70 total points
Dolphins have seen Over 47.5 points in eight of their last 12 games
Roosters have seen Over 47.5 points in seven of their last nine games
Daniel Tupou has scored seven tries in his last six games

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters NRL Round 23 Cheat Sheet

Head To Head

The Dolphins won their first ever game of NRL over the Roosters in 2023, but the Chooks have prevailed in three consecutive encounters since, including a high-scoring 36-26 victory in Magic Round earlier this season.

Dolphins Form Analysis

Tough to get a read on the Phins this season. They've registered some huge wins, toppling the likes of Melbourne and Penrith and racking up the points in destructive performances over the Bulldogs, Cowboys and Dragons, where they scored 44+ in each. Those displays have them positioned strongly for a debut finals appearance.

However, I think they've been fairly average over the last month. Kristian Woolf's side have lost to the lowly Knights and were poor against the Sharks, while their last two wins were against the Cowboys (a gimme right now) and the out-of-form Warriors, where they needed a miracle last-minute try to Jamayne Isaako to get over the line.

Factor in a growing injury toll and I think the Dolphins have a tall mountain to climb in order to secure that elusive first finals showing if they don't step it up a notch.

Dolphins Team News

Tevita Naufahu comes in at centre for the injured Herbie Farnworth, while Mark Nicholls starts at prop in place of the suspended Felise Kaufusi. Kulikefu Finefuiaki returns from a thumb injury on the pine.

Dolphins Team List

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Max Feagai

4. Tevita Naufahu

5. Jake Averillo

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Francis Molo

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Mark Nicholls

11. Connelly Lemuelu

12. Oryn Keeley

13. Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange

14. Ray Stone

15. Aublix Tawha

16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

17. Josh Kerr

Reserves

18. Harrison Graham

19. Peter Hola

20. LJ Nonu

21. Kenny Bromwich

22. Trai Fuller

Roosters Form Analysis

The Roosters just haven't been able to generate any momentum this season, winning back-to-back matches on just two occasions and failing to win three matches in a row at any point.

After defeating Manly 20-4 last week, the Roosters will be looking to make it two consecutive victories for just the third time in 2025 on Saturday night.

It was a smart wet-weather performance from the Roosters in shocking conditions at Brookvale, letting Manly self-destruct and completing 76 per cent of their sets.

Roosters Team News

Trent Robinson has selected the same side that defeated Manly, with Victor Radley and Connor Watson named to start after coming off the bench last week.

Roosters Team List

1. James Tedesco

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Billy Smith

4. Robert Toia

5. Mark Nawaqanitawase

6. Hugo Savala

7. Sam Walker

8. Naufahu Whyte

9. Connor Watson

10. Lindsay Collins

11. Angus Crichton

12. Siua Wong

13. Victor Radley

Interchange

14. Benaiah Ioelu

15. Egan Butcher

16. Salesi Foketi

17. Spencer Leniu

Reserves

18. Ethan King

19. Blake Steep

20. Sandon Smith

21. Makahesi Makatoa

22. Zach Dockar-Clay

Verdict

Dolphins v Sydney Roosters

The Dolphins' form has tailed off in recent weeks and the Roosters are backed to use their experience to claim a fourth straight win in this matchup.

I'm expecting plenty of points, with Daniel Tupou backed to cross for another four-pointer.

Roosters Win

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