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The Roosters proved they can win without Luke Keary last weekend, but now need to back that up against an in-form Cronulla.

Five-eighth Matt Moylan and fullback Will Kennedy collected three of the Sharks eight tries last weekend in a 38-point drubbing of the Cowboys.

The Roosters finished strongly in their win over the Warriors at the SCG - their first game since Keary suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

Roosters v Sharks

The rundown

Team news

Roosters: Second-rower Sitili Tupouniua has moved to the bench and Nat Butcher comes into the starting side in a late switch.

Tupouniua passed his head knock protocols after failing a HIA last week.

Back-up hooker Ben Marschke made his NRL debut off the bench in round four and retains his place in the squad.

Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Joseph Suaalii were cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Egan Butcher was the last man cut an hour before kick-off and Matt Ikuvalu is the 18th man.

The Roosters have won their past five games against the Sharks.

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) and Josh Dugan (head knock) will play despite failing to finish last week's game. In another boost, Jesse Ramien returns to the backline following a suspension.

Ramien's comeback means the versatile Connor Tracey will revert to the interchange and Braydon Trindall is the 18th man.

Andrew Fifita and Nene Macdonald were cut from the extended squad 24 hours before game time. Franklin Pele was cut an hour before game time.

The Sharks are aiming for their first win at the SCG since 1987.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Mawene Hiroti
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Josh Dugan
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew Hutchison
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Isaac Liu
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Freddy Lussick
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Teig Wilton
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Connor Tracey
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Ben Marschke
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Aiden Tolman
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack Williams
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Billy Magoulias

Reserves

  • Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Matt Ikuvalu
    Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Braydon Trindall

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
  • Touch Judge: Peter Gough
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

He's not as well-known or as experienced as Roosters No.1 James Tedesco but Cronulla's Will Kennedy is proving a handy fullback with five tries in four games - Tedesco has seven. Tedesco also has an impressive 25 tackle breaks over the opening four rounds. Only Brian To'o and David Fifita have more.

Stat Attack

After a rocky start with the boot, Chad Townsend's eight goals last week has now given him 30 points for the season, which has surpassed his modest 2020 tally (21 points) and zooming in on 2019 (41 points). Admittedly, Shaun Johnson was first-choice goal kicker in both years.

 

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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