Eels v Roosters: Rodwell promoted for Brown; Keary out, Verrills back
The Eels and Roosters are locked in the battle for spots in the bottom half of the top eight and a win here would be a huge stepping stone to September
Trent Robinson's men got the better of the Eels in Magic Round but have lost three of four since that clash, while Parramatta will be reeling after an ambush at the hands of the Bulldogs on Sunday.
There were plenty of positives for the Roosters out of the loss to Melbourne but another concussion for playmaker Luke Keary put a dampener on the night.
The Eels welcomed back Maika Sivo at Accor Stadium but were outplayed and out-enthused by a Bulldogs side which started fast and never took the foot off the throttle.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Eels v Roosters
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Brad Arthur has called up rookie Ky Rodwell in place of forward Nathan Brown on the interchange bench. Maika Sivo made a successful return in his first NRL game since round 23 last year and will be better for the run.
Roosters: Luke Keary has been ruled out after suffering a concussion against the Storm, with Drew Hutchison to play in the halves with Sam Walker. Hooker Sam Verrills makes his return from a collarbone injury. Daniel Suluka-Fifita comes onto the interchange bench, with Paul Momirovski named as 18th man when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick-off after losing his centre spot to Billy Smith.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Sam Walker
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Roosters is number 15 Drew Hutchison
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Roosters is number 8 Lindsay Collins
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam Verrills
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
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2nd Row for Eels is number 15 Ryan Matterson2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Isaiah Papali'iLock for Roosters is number 13 Nat Butcher
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 12 Marata NiukoreInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Fletcher Baker
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Interchange for Eels is number 21 Ky RodwellInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 19 Jake ArthurReplacement for Roosters is number 20 Paul Momirovski
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Key match-up
Mitch Moses v Sam Walker: Two of the game's elite playmakers square off in a classic playmaking showdown. Moses' kicking game is among the best in the NRL and his combination with Dylan Brown has gone to a new level in 2022. Walker was always going to find it tough to live up to his sizzling rookie season but the 19-year-old has done a job with six try assists and six forced dropouts.
Stat Attack
Roosters fullback James Tedesco leads the NRL in tackle breaks with 85 from his 13 games at an average of 6.5 per game. Fellow Rooster Joey Manu is also in the top five with 67 tackle breaks. The Eels' leading tackle breaker is Isaiah Papali'i with 47, closely followed by Dylan Brown on 46.
Match: Eels v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
