Rabbitohs v Roosters: Gagai back from ban; rested stars return
The Roosters have a top-four spot secured, but enter Friday's match knowing a win will book them a meeting with the Storm in week one of the post-season.
They rested a host of stars yet were still able to take care of the finals-bound Sharks last weekend.
There is plenty of work to be done, but their plan of three straight titles remains on the cards.
The Rabbitohs are also certain of finals action but will be playing sudden-death football from week one of the play-offs.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 20 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Rabbitohs: Tevita Tatola will start in jersey No.18 with Jed Cartwright dropping back to the interchange. Patrick Mago and Troy Dargan were the last two players dropped from the squad.
Dane Gagai has returned from suspension in place of Steven Marsters at centre. Jack Johns and Cory Denniss were omitted from the 19-man squad on Thursday night. The Rabbitohs have conceded 72 points in their past three games.
Rugby league's oldest rivalry resumes
Roosters: Fullback James Tedesco, hooker Jake Friend, back-rower Boyd Cordner and prop Siosiua Taukeiaho all return. Friend said on Wednesday that he and Cordner are fit and ready after the week off.
Matthew Ikuvalu replaces Brett Morris on the wing, while Freddy Lussick was the other player to drop out of the playing squad 24 hours before kick-off. Daniel Fifita and Ryan Hall were the two players omitted an hour before kick-off.
Joey Manu, Lindsay Collins and Isaac Liu will get a rest, Angus Crichton has switched to lock and Lachlan Lam is set to return from an ankle injury in place of Drew Hutchison on the bench. The Roosters have won seven of their past 10 games against the Rabbitohs.
Match: Rabbitohs v Roosters
Round 20 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Corey AllanFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Campbell GrahamCentre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
-
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Dane GagaiCentre for Roosters is number 4 Mitchell Aubusson
-
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Roosters is number 18 Matt Ikuvalu
-
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
-
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Liam KnightProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend
-
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas BurgessProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Bayley Sironen2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner
-
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 18 Tevita Tatola2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Roosters is number 13 Angus Crichton
Interchange
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jed CartwrightInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Lachlan Lam
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Mark NichollsInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Poasa Faamausili
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Hame SeleInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
-
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Keaon KoloamatangiInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Sonny Bill Williams
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Damien Cook v Jake Friend. Different styles of players, but both extremely important to their side. Cook has improved as 2020 has continued, while Friend remains a crucial part of the Roosters machine. If Cook can find open space around the ruck, the Rabbitohs may be able to post a winning score.
Stat attack
The Roosters are averaging a tick under 30 points a game in 2020. If they can maintain that level of attacking prowess during the finals, it is hard to see anyone beating them.
