Roosters v Sharks: Roosters unchanged; Ramien into centres
The Roosters proved they can win without Luke Keary last weekend, but now need to back that up against an in-form Cronulla.
Five-eighth Matt Moylan and fullback Will Kennedy collected three of the Sharks eight tries last weekend in a 38-point drubbing of the Cowboys.
The Roosters finished strongly in their win over the Warriors at the SCG - their first game since Keary suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Roosters v Sharks
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 5 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Sharks
9th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Roosters: Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua has moved to the bench and Nat Butcher comes into the starting side in a late switch.
Tupouniua passed his head knock protocols after failing a HIA last week.
Back-up hooker Ben Marschke made his NRL debut off the bench in round four and retains his place in the squad.
Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Joseph Suaalii were cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Egan Butcher was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Matt Ikuvalu is the 18th man.
The Roosters have won their past five games against the Sharks.
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Josh Dugan (head knock) will play despite failing to finish last week's game. In another boost, Jesse Ramien returns to the backline following a suspension.
Ramien's comeback means the versatile Connor Tracey will revert to the interchange and Braydon Trindall is the 18th man.
Andrew Fifita and Nene Macdonald were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before game time. Franklin Pele was cut an hour before game time.
The Sharks are aiming for their first win at the SCG since 1987.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 5 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh MorrisCentre for Sharks is number 3 Josh Dugan
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett MorrisWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew HutchisonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Isaac LiuProp for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Teig Wilton
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 12 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Connor Tracey
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Ben MarschkeInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Aiden Tolman
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Jared Waerea-HargreavesInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Billy Magoulias
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Matt IkuvaluReserve for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
He's not as well-known or as experienced as Roosters No.1 James Tedesco but Cronulla's Will Kennedy is proving a handy fullback with five tries in four games - Tedesco has seven. Tedesco also has an impressive 25 tackle breaks over the opening four rounds. Only Brian To'o and David Fifita have more.
Stat Attack
After a rocky start with the boot, Chad Townsend's eight goals last week has now given him 30 points for the season, which has surpassed his modest 2020 tally (21 points) and zooming in on 2019 (41 points). Admittedly, Shaun Johnson was first-choice goal kicker in both years.
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