Roosters v Sea Eagles: Butcher sidelined; 'Burbo' boost for Manly
Two proud clubs will fight it out at the SCG on Thursday night in a bid to keep their top-eight hopes alive after rollercoaster 2023 campaigns.
The Roosters sit four points outside the top eight going into Round 23 and would need to win at least four of their final five matches to give themselves any hope of continuing their six-year finals streak.
Trent Robinson's side were well-beaten by the Broncos last start and will be up against a Sea Eagles outfit who got the job done in Daly Cherry-Evans' 300th NRL match to make it three wins in their last four games.
Both these sides only met a month ago with the match coming down to the wire for an 18-16 victory to the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park.
Another repeat result would all but spell the end of the Roosters' finals hopes and the Sea Eagles would love nothing more than to be the team that piles on the pain for the Eastern Suburbs club.
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Team news
Roosters: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Drew Hutchison starting at halfback and Sandon Smith going to the bench. After failing a head injury assessment against the Broncos, forward Egan Butcher will miss the match. Youngster Siua Wong comes in for his fourth game of the season and first as a starter.
Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles are 1-17 with no late changes. Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) is back on deck but Christian Tuipulotu (knee) is set to miss at least two weeks. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega comes in on the wing for his fifth game of the season. Trbojevic's return sees Sean Keppie drop out of the squad. Prop Matt Lodge will play despite missing training this week due to illness.
Match: Roosters v Sea Eagles
Round 23 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joshua Schuster
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 14 Drew HutchisonHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Toafofoa Sipley
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Matthew Lodge
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Siua Wong2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 7 Sandon SmithInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Ben Trbojevic
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan BrownInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Aaron Woods
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell MayInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Dean Matterson
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Ethan Bullemor
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 21 Fetalaiga PaugaReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jake Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won six of their past nine games against the Sea Eagles.
- Daly Cherry-Evans has scored four tries in his last four games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won three of their past four games at the SCG.
- The Sea Eagles are aiming for home and away wins against the Roosters for the first time since 2017.
- Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker will play his 100th game for the club.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored five tries in his past three games at the SCG
Match: Roosters v Sea Eagles
Round 23 -
home Team
Roosters
12th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
11th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
