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Match Preview

Roosters v Eels: JWH to return; Evans banned

Author
Troy Whittaker pan66.com Reporter
Timestamp

It shapes as the blockbuster of the round - premiers Sydney Roosters against the undefeated Parramatta Eels at Bankwest Stadium.

The Tricolours have roared to life following the season's restart last month, posting three consecutive thumping wins over the Rabbitohs, Broncos and Bulldogs to sit just outside the top four.

And Parramatta have continued to find a way to win, beating Manly and Penrith in thrillers over the past two rounds.

If they can upstage the Roosters, you'd have to think the Eels have removed any doubt about them being the real deal in 2020.

The Rundown

Team News

Roosters: Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (back) should suit up after being close to playing the Bulldogs on Monday. Mitchell Aubuson and Sitili Tupouniua take their places on the bench with Sam Verrills and Lachlan Lam dropping out of the match day squad. Lindsay Collins and Ryan Hall were the two players left out on the eve of the match. The Roosters have won seven of their past nine games against the Eels.

Eels: Prop Kane Evans is unavailable after being suspended for one game for dangerous contact in the win over Penrith. Oregon Kaufusi replaces Evans on the Parramatta bench. Brad Takairangi and George Jennings were ommitted an hour before kick-off and David Gower and Jai Field were the two players left out 24 hours before the match. Eels centre Michael Jennings requires one try for 150 tries in the top grade.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Isaac Liu
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ray Stone
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
    Interchange for Eels is number 15 Marata Niukore
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Sitili Tupouniua
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Mitchell Aubusson
    Interchange for Eels is number 17 Peni Terepo

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key Match-Up

There'll be some heavy contact if opposing locks Victor Radley and Nathan Brown directly clash. Renowned as aggressive enforcers, both men are integral links in imposing packs.

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.