Roosters v Rabbitohs: JWH out; Cook to start
Everything you want in a sporting rivalry will be on display at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The tit-for-tat signings from each other in recent years has only added to the bitterness that exists between these two clubs.
The fact both teams have been top-four regulars in recent years has added another layer.
The Rabbitohs will want to respond to last Friday's loss to Penrith while the Roosters finished well against the Dragons.
They won't meet in the first week of the finals, but a clash in the preliminary finals is on the radar.
For that reason, neither coach will be wanting to give too much away.
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 24 -
home Team
Roosters
6th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Roosters: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is the latest Roosters casualty with a minor knee complaint, with Fletcher Baker to start at prop and Tuku Hau Tapuha joining the bench.
Moala Graham-Taufa will be the 18th man.
Siosiua Taukeiaho (head knock) was taken from the field late in last week's win over the Dragons but will play.
Along with Waerea-Hargreaves, goalkicking centre Adam Keighran (head knock), forward Nat Butcher (knee) and Dale Copley are the latest casualties with Trent Robinson unable to name a full 21-man squad on Tuesday.
Roosters forward Isaac Liu will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Rabbitohs: Damien Cook had a quad concern but has proven his fitness and will start the match.
In a minor change announced an hour before kick-off, Tom Burgess goes back to the bench with Tevita Tatola to start the match.
Liam Knight has worked his way back from a concussion in round 18 to the point where he is the 18th man.
Peter Mamouzelos and Taane Milne were trimmed from the reserves on Friday night.
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 24 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Lachlan LamCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brad AbbeyWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Jaxson Paulo
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew HutchisonFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Mark Nicholls
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Roosters is number 16 Fletcher BakerProp for Rabbitohs is number 16 Tevita Tatola
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Jaydn Su'a
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jai Arrow
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac LiuLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Ben MarschkeInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 10 Thomas Burgess
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Benji Marshall
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Ben ThomasInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Jacob Host
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Tuku Hau TapuhaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Liam Knight
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Moala Graham-TaufaReserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Blake Taaffe
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
James Tedesco v Latrell Mitchell. What a treat it is whenever these two are on the field at the same time. These wonderful fullbacks are both match-winners and usually both fire in big games. Enjoy.
Stat attack
South Sydney sit second behind the Storm for points and tries this season but the Rabbitohs are tied with Melbourne on 97 try assists and are also No.1 for line-break assists with 120 to the third-ranked Storm's 105.
The Roosters are fourth in both categories, well behind their fellow foundation club.
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