Roosters v Eels: Hutchison steps up; Greig in for Paulo
The Eels opened their 2023 account in style with a golden point takedown of premiers Penrith and will be full of confidence heading to Allianz Stadium on Thursday.
Halfback Mitch Moses stood tall with the match-winning field goal to ease some of the pressure on last year's runners-up after a shaky 0-3 start to the season.
With Ryan Matterson back on deck and Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard leading the way through the middle, the Eels got in the grind with the Panthers and were able to come out on top in a high-quality contest.
The Roosters have had a week to freshen up after their impressive 20-18 victory over arch-rivals the Rabbitohs and will look to their own forward leaders in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley to set the platform for success.
After a shock first-up loss to the Dolphins, Trent Robinson's men have hit back with wins over the Warriors and Souths on the back of star recruit Brandon Smith finding his mojo and their back five churning out massive metres.
The Roosters have played four times at their shiny new home ground for three wins and a loss and they'll be keen to put on another good showing for the Tricolours faithful before putting their feet up and watching the rest of the round unfold.
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
15th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-17 with no late changes. With Joey Manu serving a one-game ban for a high shot against the Rabbitohs, the versatile Drew Hutchison moves into the centres. Corey Allan has been added to the interchange along with Naufahu Whyte. The players to drop out in Wednesday's 24-hour update were Sandon Smith, Siua Wong and Elie El-Zakham.
Eels: No late changes on game day for Brad Arthur. Prop Junior Paulo will miss two games after taking an early guilty plea to a Grade Two Careless High Tackle charge, so Wiremu Greig moves into the starting side and Jack Murchie joins the bench having recovered from a head knock suffered in Round 3. Jirah Momoisea, Ofahiki Ogden and Toni Mataele were omitted on Wednesday when the squad was trimmed to 19.
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Drew HutchisonCentre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Eels is number 10 Wiremu Greig
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jake TurpinInterchange for Eels is number 14 Matt Doorey
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Corey AllanInterchange for Eels is number 16 Jack Murchie
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Ben Thomas
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won six of their past eight games against the Eels.
- The Eels have not defeated the Roosters at Moore Park since 2008.
- Roosters winger Joseph Suaalii scored four tries in two games against the Eels in 2022.
- Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored four tries in five games against the Roosters.
- Roosters lock Victor Radley will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
