The Roosters proved they can win without Luke Keary last weekend, but now need to back that up against an in-form Cronulla.

Five-eighth Matt Moylan and fullback Will Kennedy collected three of the Sharks eight tries last weekend in a 38-point drubbing of the Cowboys.

The Roosters finished strongly in their win over the Warriors at the SCG - their first game since Keary suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

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The rundown

Team news

Roosters: Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua has moved to the bench and Nat Butcher comes into the starting side in a late switch.

Tupouniua passed his head knock protocols after failing a HIA last week.

Back-up hooker Ben Marschke made his NRL debut off the bench in round four and retains his place in the squad.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Joseph Suaalii were cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Egan Butcher was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Matt Ikuvalu is the 18th man.

The Roosters have won their past five games against the Sharks.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Josh Dugan (head knock) will play despite failing to finish last week's game. In another boost, Jesse Ramien returns to the backline following a suspension.

Ramien's comeback means the versatile Connor Tracey will revert to the interchange and Braydon Trindall is the 18th man.

Andrew Fifita and Nene Macdonald were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before game time. Franklin Pele was cut an hour before game time.

The Sharks are aiming for their first win at the SCG since 1987.

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Key match-up

He's not as well-known or as experienced as Roosters No.1 James Tedesco but Cronulla's Will Kennedy is proving a handy fullback with five tries in four games - Tedesco has seven. Tedesco also has an impressive 25 tackle breaks over the opening four rounds. Only Brian To'o and David Fifita have more.

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Stat Attack

After a rocky start with the boot, Chad Townsend's eight goals last week has now given him 30 points for the season, which has surpassed his modest 2020 tally (21 points) and zooming in on 2019 (41 points). Admittedly, Shaun Johnson was first-choice goal kicker in both years.

 

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