NRL 2025, round 18, Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers, match preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 6 Jul 2025, 01:09 PM

Wests Tigers are teetering in 14th spot on the back of six straight losses and will be desperate to turn around their fortunes against the Roosters.

A return to the finals for the first time since 2011 now seems a forlorn hope for the Tigers while the spectre of a fourth straight wooden spoon looms large unless they can string some wins together.

Given the Roosters have five players on Origin duty the door is open for Benji Marshall's men to produce an ambush, although the absence of Jarome Luai (NSW) and Api Koroisau (concussion) balances the ledger considerably.

With games against the Warriors, Panthers, Bulldogs and Raiders still to come, the task of offloading the dreaded spoon is daunting but the Tigers can take a big step in the right direction with a win on Sunday.

Round 18 - Sunday 6th July

Full Time

Roosters

Wests Tigers

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team News

Roosters: After being 18th man on seven occasions this season, Ethan King finally gets his chance after being called into the centres to replace Billy Smith in a change when the squads were trimmed to 19 players on Saturday. Tom Rodwell, the son of former Blues centre Brett Rodwell, will make his NRL debut on the wing with Mark Nawaqanitawase moving into the centres to replace Robert Toia, who is in camp with the Maroons. The loss of Connor Watson, Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Lindsay Collins has also prompted Trent Robinson to rework his forward pack, with Makahesi Makatoa to start for the second time this year and Benaiah Ioelu to line up at hooker. No late changes.

Wests Tigers: One late change, with Jack Bird out, moving Tony Sukkar into the second row to start. Kit Laulilii is on the bench and Brent Naden the new 18th player. Earlier, injuries, suspension and Origin unavailability are set to see the Wests Tigers roll out a new-look spine on Sunday afternoon. Sunia Turuva will shift to fullback, with Adam Doueihi and Latu Fainu in the halves and Tristan Hope at hooker. Alex Twal will captain the side at lock, while forward Charlie Murray is set for his second NRL game after being added to the bench.

Round 18 - Sunday 6th July

Full Time

Roosters

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Sunia Turuva
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Mark Nawaqanitawase

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Luke Laulilii
Centre for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Tom Rodwell

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sandon Smith

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Hugo Savala

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Latu Fainu

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tristan Hope
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Makahesi Makatoa

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Salesi Foketi

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tony Sukkar
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Blake Steep

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Charlie Murray
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Max McCathie

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Taylor Losalu

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 De La Salle Va'a

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Kit Laulilii

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 21 Ben Johnson

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Brent Naden

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 11:04 pm Sunday 6th July 2025

Stat Attack

The Roosters have won 18 of their past 19 games against Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers centre Starford To’a has scored four tries in his past four games.
Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored nine tries in his last seven games.
Wests Tigers winger Sunia Turuva has scored four tries in four games against the Roosters.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 21 tries in 15 games against Wests Tigers.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.