Roosters v Panthers: Tricolours reshuffle; Penrith star duo out
The Roosters must deal with yet another key injury with centre Josh Morris unlikely to return before the finals but the Tricolours have shown incredible resilience in 2021.
Injuries have been the story of the Roosters' season and they have done a brilliant job of staying in the top four conversation despite key losses.
Their ability to shrug off the loss of Morris with half an hour to play and grab a share of fourth place with a 28-0 win over the stumbling Parramatta Eels was the perfect example of that resilience.
Penrith, who conceded a share of first place with the 37-10 flogging at Melbourne's hands, have yet to replicate that ability to overcome injury adversity.
Match: Roosters v Panthers
Round 21 -
home Team
Roosters
5th Position
away Team
Panthers
2nd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Roosters: Dale Copley drops out of the side with Joseph Manu moving to the wing, Sitili Tupouniua to centre and Nat Butcher to the second row. Siosiua Taukeiaho starts at prop with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to come off the bench.
Fletcher Baker joins the interchange, Copley is the 18th man and Naufahu Whyte dropped out of the playing squad on game day.
Copley had been initially named to start on the wing following the loss of Josh Morris (hamstring) for at least five weeks.
Ben Marschke and Moala Graham-Taufa were omitted 24 hours before the match.
The Roosters have scored 114 points in their past three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Panthers: Taylan May replaces Brent Naden on the wing, while there's a reshuffle in the pack with Matt Eisenhuth starting at prop, Liam Martin moving to the second row and Scott Sorensen shifting to the bench.
Izack Tago is on the bench with J'maine Hopgood the 18th man. Nathan Cleary's return from a shoulder injury has been delayed another week.
With Stephen Crichton (contrary conduct) accepting a one-week ban, Paul Momirovski comes into the centres where he will partner Kurt Capewell.
New recruit Tevita Pangai jnr will not make his Panthers debut on the interchange after taking leave due to personal reasons with J'maine Hopgood a chance of a recall from the extended bench.
Mitch Kenny drops to the interchange to make way for Api Koroisau while Isaah Yeo returns at lock.
The Panthers have won their past three games against the Roosters.
Match: Roosters v Panthers
Round 21 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Panthers is number 2 Charlie Staines
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Adam KeighranCentre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Momirovski
-
Centre for Roosters is number 12 Sitili TupouniuaCentre for Panthers is number 4 Kurt Capewell
-
Winger for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuWinger for Panthers is number 19 Taylan May
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Drew HutchisonFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Jarome Luai
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Isaac LiuProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Roosters is number 17 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Panthers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Panthers is number 10 Liam Martin
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 15 Nat Butcher2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesInterchange for Panthers is number 12 Scott Sorensen
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Lachlan LamInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Mitch Kenny
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan ButcherInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Fletcher BakerInterchange for Panthers is number 18 Izack Tago
Reserves
-
Reserve for Roosters is number 5 Dale CopleyReserve for Panthers is number 20 J'maine Hopgood
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
James Tedesco v Dylan Edwards: Tedesco continues to show why he is arguably the best player in the game and Edwards keeps on showing why he is an important part of the Panthers team. Tedesco is rarely - if ever - outplayed, but that doesn't mean Edwards can't have a huge say in the outcome.
Stat attack
Panthers winger Charlie Staines has scored five tries in his past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
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