Sea Eagles v Roosters: Saab hamstrung; Young good to go
The two winning sides from the rollicking season opening in Vegas will be out to continue that momentum when they meet in a mouth-watering clash at 4 Pines Park.
A huge crowd is guaranteed for Manly's first home game of the season with fans hoping they can turn 4 Pines into a fortress again after winning just six of 10 there last season.
The home side will be without flying winger Jason Saab for at least the next month after he picked up a hamstring injury, while back-rower Josh Schuster will make his injury return in the NSW Cup this week.
The Roosters had injury concerns of their own in Vegas with centre Billy Smith a late withdrawal from the Broncos clash due to a hamstring injury and Englishman Dom Young missing the game due to a neck injury.
Young is back on deck this week as is veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who will line up in career game No.299 as he returns from suspension.
With Spencer Leniu banned for eight weeks at the judiciary on Monday night, the presence of JWH in his first game since Round 26 last year is a big boost for the Roosters.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sea Eagles v Roosters
Team News
Sea Eagles: No late changes for Manly, with Tommy Talau the new face in the backline following the loss of Jason Saab to a hamstring injury. Bench forward Nathan Brown plays his 150th NRL game. Jake Arthur is the 18th man.
Roosters: A late switch sees Terrell May come into the run-on side at prop and the returning Jared Waerea-Hargreaves revert to the bench in game number 299. The 17 is otherwise unchanged, with star recruit Dom Young returning from the neck injury he suffered during the Pre-Season Challenge. Sitili Tupouniua is good to go after picking up a groin injury in Round 1.
Match: Sea Eagles v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Tommy TalauWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Jaxson PauloWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan CrokerHooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon Smith
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Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Josh AloiaiProp for Roosters is number 17 Terrell May
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Siua Wong
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2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Karl LawtonInterchange for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Corey WaddellInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu Whyte
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Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan BrownInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Jake ArthurReplacement for Roosters is number 19 Fetalaiga Pauga
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have not started the season with back-to-back wins since 2013.
- The Roosters have won three of their past four games at 4 Pines Park.
- Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic has scored six tries in his past six games against the Roosters.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 12 tries in his past 13 games against the Sea Eagles.
- Manly forward Nathan Brown will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Match: Sea Eagles v Roosters
Round 2 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
4th Position
away Team
Roosters
8th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
