Roosters v Eels: Butcher fails to come up; Sivo, Tualagi return
The Roosters have a top-four spot well within their grasp but will need to be on high alert against a dangerous Eels outfit that took the Panthers to the limit in Round 23.
With their remaining four games against sides currently outside the eight, Trent Robinson's get a golden opportunity to take momentum into the play-offs but any hiccup will see the Sharks and Bulldogs breathing down their neck.
The Eels continue to have a dig and have enough weapons to trouble any side, as they showed against the Panthers in a pulsating contest last Friday.
With games against the Roosters, Broncos, Dragons and Wests Tigers to come, the Eels have a golden opportunity to play spoiler for a couple of finals hopefuls and then consign the Tigers to a third consecutive wooden spoon when they clash in the last round.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Roosters v Eels
Team News
Roosters: Coach Trent Robinson told media on Thursday that Nat Butcher had failed to overcome a rib cartilage injury and would not play. His place on the bench is taken by Siua Wong. Winger Dom Young (hamstring) and prop Lindsay Collins (head knock) are set to return after suffering injuries in Round 22. Sandon Smith is the 18th man.
Eels: Ryan Matterson drops out of the side 24 hours before kick-off with Joe Ofahengaue to start and blockbusting winger Maika Sivo added to the bench in his return from a hamstring injury. Kelma Tuilagi is also back in the side following a thumb injury, with Matt Doorey dropping out. Makahesi Makatoa is the 18th man.
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 24 -
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 Jake Tago
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'iCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Eels is number 4 Blaize Talagi
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
-
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 Daejarn Asi
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Spencer LeniuProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Eels is number 10 Wiremu Greig
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Connor WatsonLock for Eels is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Eels is number 14 Joey Lussick
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Naufahu WhyteInterchange for Eels is number 16 Kelma Tuilagi
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Eels is number 17 Dan Keir
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Siua WongInterchange for Eels is number 19 Maika Sivo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Sandon SmithReplacement for Eels is number 22 Makahesi Makatoa
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won five of their past six games against the Eels.
- Eels centre Blaize Talagi has scored seven tries in his past eight games.
- The Roosters have scored 116 points in their past three games at Allianz Stadium.
- The Eels have won only one from nine away from home in 2024.
- Roosters winger Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has scored six tries in four games against the Eels.
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 24 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
