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After their dreams of being the first club win to win three straight premierships in almost 40 years were dashed last October, the Roosters welcome the Sea Eagles to the SCG for round one.

Trent Robinson's team are deservedly included prominently when talk turns to potential premiers.

The same can't be said for a Manly team that looks to be on the wrong end of an injury curse once again. Tom Trbojevic has sustained another hamstring injury.

Des Hasler must be trying to remember when he walked under a ladder.

Roosters v Sea Eagles

The rundown

Team news

Roosters: The Roosters will start 1-17 after Fletcher Baker and Sam Walker were the two players left out an hour before game time. Luke Keary, who sat out their trial clash with a hamstring issue, will take his place after training on Monday. Lachlan Lam will be his halves partner with Adam Keighran grabbing a bench spot.

Lindsay Collins has earned a start at prop with veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves sliding to the bench. Angus Crichton will line up on the left edge in place of skipper Boyd Cordner with Sitili Tupouniua slotting into the retired Mitch Aubusson's right side back-row position. Victor Radley and Sam Verrills (both ACL) will be kept on ice for at least another week.

Matt Ikuvalu and Freddy Lussick were omitted from the 21-man squad on Friday.

The Roosters have lost their opening round game for the past three seasons.

Sea Eagles: Des Hasler's team will start 1-17 after Josh Schuster and Sean Keppie were the last two players omitted. Dylan Walker is the surprise replacement for star fullback Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) and his switch gives Brad Parker a start in the centres alongside Moses Suli.

Back-rower Jack Gosiewski has seen off the challenge of veteran recruit Andrew Davey, who will start from the bench.

Much of the attacking responsibility will now fall onto the shoulders of veteran halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran. Josh Aloiai takes over from Addin Fonua-Blake in the front row.

Lachlan Croker has recovered from his hamstring issue to get the start at No.9 with Cade Cust returning from a thumb injury in the NSW Cup, while centre Tevita Funa has earned a bench spot. The Sea Eagles will play their first game at the SCG in seven years.

Toafofoa Sipley and Morgan Harper were omitted from the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Dylan Walker
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Mosese Suli
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
    Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Lachlan Lam
    Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kieran Foran
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
    Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Josh Aloiai
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend
    Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
    Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Jack Gosiewski
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
    2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
    Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Adam Keighran
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Tevita Funa
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Andrew Davey
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Morgan Boyle
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
    Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela Paseka

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Key match-up

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves v Martin Taupau: The friendship they shared when playing for New Zealand will be put on hold in a huge season opener. A pair of no-nonsense players, these veterans can usually be relied upon to give their side a strong start to sets of six. JWH has been named on then bench but don't be surprised if he gets a late call-up to start.

Stat attack

Between them, James Tedesco and Joey Manu made 224 tackle breaks last season. Manly's top two (Cherry-Evans and Taupau) combined for exactly 100 fewer. Manly need to put more pressure on the opposition defence in 2021.

What will be the result in this Telstra Premiership clash?

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