This would have sounded ridiculous six weeks ago, but the Roosters need to beat the Wests Tigers to retain their spot in the top four.
While injuries have cruelled the back-to-back champions, a loss on Sunday could see Trent Robinson's men fall to as low as sixth on the ladder with five weeks remaining before the finals. A top-two finish no longer looks a viable proposition.
As for Wests Tigers, the scenario is simple - keep winning or say goodbye to the finals.
Match: Wests Tigers v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: Alex Twal and Thomas Mikaele move from the reserves to the interchange, with Sam McIntyre and Chris Lawrence omitted an hour before kick-off after Alex Seyfarth and Asu Kepaoa dropped out of the squad on Friday. Halfback Benji Marshall battled a minor ankle complaint last week but is fine. Tigers second-rower Luciano Leilua has scored four tries in three games at Leichhardt Oval.
Roosters: Brett Morris and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are set to return from injury in place of Christian Tuipulotu and Mitch Aubusson (fractured wrist) with Nat Butcher shifting to the second row.
Lachlan Lam (ankle) and Luke Keary (ribs) are out with Drew Hutchison and Kyle Flanagan forming a new halves pairing. Freddy Lussick debuts on the bench. Ryan Hall and Max Bailey dropped off the reserves list on game day after Egan Butcher and Sam Walker were the two players left out 24 hours before the match. Robinson will reach the milestone of 200 games as Roosters coach.
Match: Wests Tigers v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Adam DoueihiFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Matt Ikuvalu
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Moses MbyeCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Benji MarshallHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Russell PackerProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Matthew EisenhuthLock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Elijah TaylorInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Freddy Lussick
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Josh ReynoldsInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Poasa Faamausili
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Alex TwalInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Lindsay Collins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Adam Doueihi v James Tedesco. Doueihi isn't at Tedesco's level but, if he can be safe under kicks and provide attacking punch, he can play a Tedesco-type role for the Tigers. As for Tedesco, he has been quiet in recent weeks. That could spell bad news for his former team.
Stat Attack
The controlled aggression Michael Maguire wants from his players is evident when it comes to the way his players carry the ball. As a team, Wests Tigers (482) lead the NRL when it comes to tackle breaks, having made 20 more than the second-placed Eels. The Roosters are third with 455 tackle breaks over the first 14 rounds.
