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Roosters v Sharks: Big guns rested; Woods OK

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pan66.com
Timestamp

With their participation in the finals confirmed, the Sharks can now start preparing for sudden-death football.

There is no better way to start building belief than to prove your worth against the back-to-back premiers.

The Roosters were scarily good at times in their crushing win over Newcastle last weekend, and need to keep winning to ensure a top-four finish.

Cronulla will still be without suspended pair Wade Graham and Chad Townsend.

The rundown

Team news

Roosters: Trent Robinson on Friday said Boyd Cordner would not play against Sharks. Cordner is "feeling fine" but the club is taking a cautious approach, opting to give him an extra week off after his head knock last weekend. Angus Crichton comes into the starting side.

Hooker Jake Friend will also be rested and his place is taken by Freddy Lussick.

Poasa Faamausili and Drew Hutchison have been added to the bench.

James Tedesco is being rested with Joseph Manu at fullback while Mitch Aubusson will play his club record-breaking game at centre.

Prop Siosiua Taukeiaho has also been given a spell with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returning in his place. Lindsay Collins will start in the front row. Daniel Fifita and Matt Ivukalu were the last players cut before kick-off.

The Roosters have scored 100 points across their past two games at the SCG.

Sharks: Teig Wilton dropped off the interchange bench on Friday and his place is taken by Scott Sorensen. Billy Magoulias was the other player cut 24 hours before kick-off. Bryson Goodwin and Braydon Trindall were trimmed from the reserves an hour prior to kick-off.

Prop Aaron Woods dislocated a finger against the Warriors but should be fine. The Sharks will make their first appearance at the SCG since 1987.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Josh Dugan
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Mitchell Aubusson
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Connor Tracey
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden  Hamlin-Uele 
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Freddy Lussick
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 15 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Sonny Bill Williams
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Andrew Fifita
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Poasa Faamausili
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce Hunt
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Drew Hutchison
    Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Scott Sorensen

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Siosiua Taukeiaho v Braden Hamlin-Uele. Taukeiaho has forced his way into the conversation of who is the best prop in the NRL. Hamlin-Uele could one day join him in that elite company. Matching it with the Roosters star will only enhance his reputation as a player with a bright future.

Stat attack

Despite have scored more tries, and points, than any other team, the Roosters are 13th in set completions. While some may suggest this is an area they could improve on, it is also worth wondering if this is a price they are willing to pay for spreading the ball when in attack and taking chances.

Five of the top six sides in the NRL in set completion won't be playing in the finals.

Related

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.