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.
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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.
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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.
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