With their mini-revival halted after just one game the Eels must regroup quickly as they confront a team they have beaten just once in their past five meetings.
After a much-needed victory over the Sharks in Round 13, the blue and golds crashed back to earth on Monday when they were unable to subdue an injury-ravaged Bulldogs outfit at Accor Stadium.
The loss of Maika Sivo to a hamstring injury just prior to kick-off didn't help the Eels' cause but at 18-10 with 15 minutes to play they would have expected to go on with the job and rack up their fifth win of the season.
The Roosters, meanwhile, had their feet up over the long weekend, taking the opportunity to recharge the batteries as they embark on a pivotal month of games against the Eels, Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and Dragons.
With the best points differential (+133) in the competition, the Roosters have a distinct advantage over the clump of teams around them on the ladder, but they need to start stringing some wins together if they're to make it to the finals for an eighth straight season.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Eels
14th Position
away Team
Roosters
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Eels: Maika Sivo is back on the wing after being a game-day withdrawal last week due to a hamstring injury. Maroons forward J’maine Hopgood has been included in the No.13 jersey but remains in doubt after interim coach Trent Barrett admitted he shouldn’t have played in Round 14 due to a nerve problem in his back. After starting last week at prop Wiremu Greig is out of the 17, while Daejarn Asi reverts to bench. Edge forward Ryan Matterson is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from illness.
Roosters: With all of their Origin contingent good to go following last week’s bye, there are a number of changes to the last Roosters team which took the field in Round 13. Michael Jennings drops back to be the replacement player, while Sitili Tupouniua, Blake Steep and Siua Wong all drop off the interchange. Connor Watson returns from a throat injury to start at hooker in place of Brandon Smith.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Roosters is number 3 Fetalaiga Pauga
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Blaize TalagiWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan HandsHooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Daejarn AsiInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Shaun LaneInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Wiremu GreigReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Michael Jennings
-
Reserve for Eels is number 19 Morgan HarperReserve for Roosters is number 19 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Joey LussickReserve for Roosters is number 20 Zach Dockar-Clay
-
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Ryan MattersonReserve for Roosters is number 21 Ethan King
-
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Luca MorettiReserve for Roosters is number 22 Siua Wong
Eels Ins
- Luca Moretti
- Maika Sivo
- Morgan Harper
- Ryan Matterson
Roosters Ins
- Angus Crichton
- Connor Watson
- Ethan King
- James Tedesco
- Lindsay Collins
- Spencer Leniu
Eels Outs
Roosters Ins
- Blake Steep
- Brandon Smith
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won four of their six games at CommBank Stadium in 2024.
- The Roosters have won four of their past five games against the Eels.
- Eels winger Blaize Talagi has scored five tries in his first eight NRL games.
- Roosters fullback James Tedesco has scored six tries in six games at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored a try in his last three games against the Roosters.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,
