Sharks v Roosters: Kennedy back on deck; Tupouniua returns
Having followed a win over the Eels with a loss to Panthers, Trent Robinson's Roosters are faced with another of the big guns in round 12 when they tackle the Sharks.
At their best the Roosters are a force to be reckoned with but consistency has been an issue in 2022 with some stirring wins over the Cowboys, Broncos and Eels countered by losses to the Bulldogs and Dragons.
The Sharks, meanwhile, have settled into a groove under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon and have one of the form players in the NRL in Nicho Hynes leading them around in style.
A bumper crowd is assured at PointsBet Stadium on a Saturday night and the home side will go in as clear favourites to rack up an eighth win of the season.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sharks v Roosters
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: With the late withdrawal of Wade Graham due to a foot injury, Teig Wilton moves to the starting side and 23-year-old prop Tom Hazelton has been elevated to the 17-man squad and will make his NRL debut off the bench. Will Kennedy returns from suspension at fullback with last week's impressive debutant Lachlan Miller the 18th man. Siosifa Talakai picked up an ankle injury on the Gold Coast but will play.
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-17 with no late changes. Sitili Tupouniua returns from a head knock on the bench in place of Egan Butcher in the only change to the side beaten by Penrith. Terrell May retains his spot after a strong debut off the bench last week. Lachlan Lam is 18th man.
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Round 12 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Connor TraceyCentre for Roosters is number 3 Paul Momirovski
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Luke Keary
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Roosters is number 9 Drew Hutchison
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Royce HuntProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 16 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Roosters is number 13 Siosiua Taukeiaho
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden TolmanInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Braydon TrindallInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Fletcher Baker
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew FifitaInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Sitili Tupouniua
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Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Lachlan MillerReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Lachlan Lam
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Nicho Hynes v Luke Keary: The former Storm man has been a revelation in the No.7 for Cronulla, surging up the Dally M leaderboard and staking a claim for buy of the year honours. His kicking game both short and long has been precise and his long pass to put Ronaldo Mulitalo over on Sunday was a thing of beauty. Keary's return from a knee reconstruction has been a work in progress but the classy Rooster has still racked up 11 try assists and eight forced dropouts in 11 games and he'll keep getting better the more footy he plays.
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Round 12 -
home Team
Sharks
7th Position
away Team
Roosters
6th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Stat Attack
The Sharks and Roosters boast an array of class players in their back three and have chalked up a stack of kick return metres across the opening 11 rounds. With James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Joseph Suaalii leading the way the Roosters have 2266 kick return metres, the third most in the NRL. The Sharks are fourth with 2131 kick return metres thanks to Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa and Ronaldo Mulitalo.
