Sharks v Roosters: Vea'ila to debut; Veteran playmaker returns
Having steadied the ship with a win over the Dolphins, Craig Fitzgibbon's Sharks now look to knock off another of the sides in the logjam between fifth and 10th on the ladder.
The Sharks find themselves in unfamiliar territory outside the top eight but last week's win pulled them up one spot and gave cause for optimism as Nicho Hynes' running game came to the fore in a gritty victory.
The Roosters welcomed Sam Walker back as they took care of business against the Dragons to give them an 8-8 record for the season heading into a crucial month of footy in which they face the Sharks, Storm, Sea Eagles, Dolphins and Bulldogs.
The Roosters have missed the finals just once since 2013 - a proud record they will be determined to keep intact with a strong finish to the season.
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Round 20 -
home Team
Sharks
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
10th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Sharks: Centre Jesse Ramien has been ruled out with hamstring tightness, his place taken by 22-year-old debutant Chris Vea'ila. A change on the bench as well with Billy Burns again brought in to replace Daniel Atkinson, who drops to 18th man. Addin Fonua-Blake will play his 200th NRL game.
Roosters: Chad Townsend is on track for his first NRL game since Round 5 after being named to replace the injured Hugo Savala (wrist) at five-eighth. Townsend suffered a concussion in NSW Cup earlier this month and while he sat out last weekend, he should be ready to go on Friday night. Spencer Leniu has been named on the bench, but could make a late switch with Lindsay Collins, as was the case last week. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update.
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Round 20 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Sharks is number 19 Chris Vea'ilaCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Chad Townsend
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Salesi Foketi
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jesse ColquhounInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby RudolfInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Blake Steep
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Billy BurnsInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 14 Daniel AtkinsonReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sharks have lost their last four games against top eight opposition.
- The Roosters have won nine of their past 11 games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is on a five-game tryscoring streak against the Roosters.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou requires two tries to move to equal fifth on the all-time premiership tryscoring list.
- Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
